Low Mill in Bilsdale: The life of an 800 year old watermill

Bilsdale Low Mill is a delightful, small watermill in northeast Yorkshire, UK, probably dating from the 12th century. It received a major improvement and extension in 1785 and some significant new machinery in the 1850s. It ceased operating in the early 1900s and this book describes the rapidly developing technology, social organisation patterns and economic practices that led to the Mill becoming derelict. There is a chapter with numerous photographs and diagrams that explains how the Mill works – the machinery, impressive gear wheels and axles and well-thought through technology. There is also a section describing the activity done by the millers. Another chapter in the book gives a description of the landlords, tenants and owners of Low Mill, for which surprisingly detailed records still exist. Some families were tenants for generations until they dispersed and moved outside the Dale. The present owners have spent a considerable amount of time in restoring Low Mill, first in the 1970s and then again in the 2000s. It is thanks to them that we have a working watermill in Bilsdale today. Their memories of how Bilsdale has changed since the mid-1900s are fascinating and some of them are included in the book. Many photographs, diagrams and maps are used throughout the book helping to describe the life of this watermill over the last 800 years.