Information for record number MWA1114:
Charlecote Mill

Summary Charlecote Mill, a watermill recorded in the Domesday Survey and in written sources from the Post Medieval to the Modern periods. The present building dates to the 18th century, with two undershot water wheels, and two sets of Milling machinery. It was restored in 1978.
What Is It?  
Type: Watermill, Undershot Wheel, Mill
Period: Post-medieval (1540 AD - 1750 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Charlecote
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 25 57
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Listed Building (Grade: II)
Listed Building (Grade: II*)
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

  
Description

  
Source Number  

1 In 1086 a mill is recorded. References also occur to this mill in the 17th, 19th and 20th centuries. The mill operated until the early 1950s and restoration of the mill to working order commenced in May 1978. The buildings date from the 18th century. It is a three storey brick structure with centrally placed lucam and an extension to the rear. There are two large internal undershot waterwheels and two complete sets of milling machinery.
4 Repair work in 1979 uncovered the date 1753 and a mason's mark carved in the stone foundation below the water mark. A further inscription 'This bedstone put in 1806' was seen on a beam.
5 Photograph taken in 1979.
6 There is a mill pond to the W of Charlecote mill and also a sluice mechanism for controlling the water flow. A further pond to the S of the building is now nearly dry. The mill race is about 1/4 mile in length approaching the mill: it leads out of the latter pond to rejoin the Avon further downstream. The mill, mill race and pond are part of the same complex.
7 In 1978 the west wheel was restored by the BBC for use in the film of "The mill on the Floss" and subsequent restoration of the west wheel stones, the east wheel, the sack hoist and the building generally have been carried out. A water mill with two undershot water wheels fed by the waters of the River Avon. Red brick, three storey building with timber roof. West wheel has 42 paddles and is approximately 18 ft diameter. East wheel has 54 paddles and is also 18ft diameter. West wheel drives two pairs of stones, east wheel drives ancillary machinery Millstones are approximately 4ft diameter, lower stone fixed and upper stone rotating at about 100 r.p.m. Grain storage on second floor with roof area used for access to grain hoppers.
 
Sources
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 5, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1965
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 5
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Warwicks Watermills
Author/originator: Booth D T N
Date: 1978
Page Number: 72
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Building Survey
Title: Panel for Historical Engineering Works
Author/originator: Institution of Civil Engineers
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Charlecote Mill
Author/originator: Bedington J
Date: 1979
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Descriptive Text
Title: LBL
Author/originator: DoE
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Photograph
Title: SMR Card
Author/originator: Wright S M
Date: 1979
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: PRN 1427
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: SMR Card
Author/originator: Anthony P J
Date: 1979
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: PRN 1114
   
Images:  
Charlecote Mill, Charlecote
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1979
Click here for larger image  
 
A view of Charlcote Mill
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1900s
Click here for larger image  
 
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
designation Listed Building Buildings and structures, such as bridges, that are of architectural or historical importance are placed on a statutory list. These buildings are protected by planning and conservation acts that ensure that their special features of interest are considered before any alterations are made to them.

Depending on how important the buildings are they are classed as Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II. Grade I buildings are those of exceptional interest. Grade II* are particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Those listed as Grade II are those buildings that are regarded of special interest.
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source LBL Listed Building List. Buildings and structures, such as bridges, that are of architectural or historical importance are placed on a list. Buildings placed on the list are protected through various planning and conservation acts which ensure that their special features of interest are considered before any alterations are made to them. The Listed Buildings List is compiled and maintained by English Heritage. It includes details of where the building is, when it was built, a description of its appearance, and any other special features. back
source SMR Card Sites and Monuments Record Card. The Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record began to be developed during the 1970s. The details of individual archaeological sites and findspots were written on record cards. These record cards were used until the 1990s, when their details were entered on to a computerised system. The record cards are still kept at the office of the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
period Modern The Modern Period, about 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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period Medieval 1066 AD to 1539 AD (the 11th century AD to the 16th century AD)

The medieval period comes after the Saxon period and before the post medieval period.

The Medieval period begins in 1066 AD.
This was the year that the Normans, led by William the Conqueror (1066 – 1087), invaded England and defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings in East Sussex.
The Medieval period includes the first half of the Tudor period (1485 – 1603 AD), when the Tudor family reigned in England and eventually in Scotland too.

The end of the Medieval period is marked by Henry VIII’s (1509 – 1547) order for the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the years running up to 1539 AD. The whole of this period is sometimes called the Middle Ages.
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period Post Medieval About 1540 AD to 1750 AD (the 16th century AD to the 18th century AD)

The Post Medieval period comes after the medieval period and before the Imperial period.

This period covers the second half of the reign of the Tudors (1485 – 1603), the reign of the Stuarts (1603 – 1702) and the beginning of the reign of the Hannoverians (1714 – 1836).
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period modern About 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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monument MILL RACE * The channel of water that provides a current of water to drive a millwheel. back
monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. back
monument FLOOR * A layer of stone, brick or boards, etc, on which people tread. Use broader site type where known. back
monument MILL * A factory used for processing raw materials. Use more specific mill type where known. See also TEXTILE MILL, for more narrow terms. back
monument MILL POND * The area of water retained above a mill dam for driving a mill. back
monument POND * A body of still water often artificially formed for a specific purpose. Use specifc type where known. back
monument MACHINERY * Apparatus used for applying a mechanical force, or to perform a particular function. Use more specific type where known. back
monument DRIVE * A road/carriage way giving access from the main road to the house, stables. back
monument UNDERSHOT WHEEL * A waterwheel where the inflow of water strikes the paddles or floatboards well below the axis of the wheel, ie. the water more or less passes under it. back
monument ENGINEERING WORKS * Any factory or site using machine tools in a manufacturing or processing capacity. back
monument SLUICE * A dam which can be raised or lowered to regulate the flow of water. back
monument STRUCTURE * A construction of unknown function, either extant or implied by archaeological evidence. If known, use more specific type. back
monument WATERMILL * A mill whose machinery is driven by water. back
monument WATER WHEEL * A structure associated with forges, watermills, water-powered factories, etc. back
monument HOIST * A mechanical lift or elevator, used to lift goods, etc. back
monument MILLSTONE * One of a pair of large circular stones used for grinding corn in a mill. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record