Low Mill




	Low Mill is a stone built Grade II listed late 18th Century corn mill situated in the beautiful Dales village of Bainbridge. It was built in the 1780’s. It is believed that milling ceased around 1907. There was a major fire in 1830 and a slightly less devastating one in 1848. After the 1830 fire the East end of the building was added. This extension enclosed the water wheel and a new kiln was built. The height of the building was raised and the roof was replaced. It is believed a larger water wheel was also installed at this time. After milling ceased the building underwent many transformations and uses. In 1973 it was purchased in a semi derelict state by Dr Christopher Cole. A massive restoration of the old building, the wheel and the mill machinery was carried out. Sadly following his death the mill remained empty for a number of years and once more the condition of the building declined. Then in June 2010 Neil and Jane McNair purchased it and a new chapter in the life of Low Mill began .. See the links at the bottom of the page

The drawings shown here are ongoing and illustrate the first stage commissioned by Neil & Jane to show the equipment as it exists within the mill at present. All of the equipment has been expertly restored and is displayed within the fabulous guest accommodation. The second phase is to draw and record the mill as close to its original workings as possible. If any one viewing this page can help with information or photos of the equipment pre 2010 we would love to hear from you. My thanks to Jim Woodward-Nutt & Tim Booth for their help so far.




		This is the Workshop bedroom below. I have stayed here with my wife and she loved it. Whether you are a mill enthusiast or not there can’t be better place to stay. The whole mill oozes Quality and Luxury. As a Guesthouse It definately offers the perfect enviroment and excellent value for money.


		These last 3 drawings show the set up and modifications to run a generator off the pit wheel. Angle brackets have been bolted to the arms and carry a 300mm wide steel drum with a belt drive onto a 300mm dia pulley, this drives a set of V belts. A second set of pulleys has been added but the generator is not in position so it is unclear how effective this setup was. it is shown here just for information & interest as an alternative to gearing.

	CAN YOU HELP PLEASE? LOOK AT THE PHOTO’S AT THE VERY BOTTOM OF THE PAGE. ANY IDEAS WHAT IT IS FOR?



			The mill’s new life

Jane & Neil where visiting the area when they came across Low mill. They viewed it on the the Saturday and bought it on the Tuesday! The next year was spent on renovation and improvement and they have created what must be one of the highest standard faciities offering B&B accommodation in Britain Squidbreak reviewer said - Just when we thought our research in 2011 was good and we’d pretty much bottomed the best B&Bs in the county, I stroll into Low Mill in Bainbridge, and WHAM. Instinctively I know I’ve found our number one place to stay this year. That’ll teach me to be complacent.


	Click on any of these 4 images to connect to Low Mill Guest House web site


	Among many uses over the centuries the Mill’s last guise was that of a Doll’s House Museum. This room was the previous occupant, Dr Cole’s workshop, hence the name! Now transformed into an enormous bedroom the Workshop retains the original, working winding gear of the sack hoist and a large pulley wheel, very useful for installing the freestanding copper bath. More modern comforts include an emperor bed, log burner, said copper bath, separate shower room and views across the village and surrounding countryside.



			The Lounge retains the spur wheel and two sets of grinding stones. It also features a lovely old working range which was originally installed in the kitchen by Dr Cole.

Backing directly onto the river Bain the Kiln Room is a suite with bedroom, luxury shower room and separate sitting area The name is taken from the kiln underneath, (one of two in the building) which would be used to dry oats. Grain would be spread over the original ceramic tiles in the sitting area and dried using the heat rising from the coke fired kiln below.



	Originally used for grain storage, the Store room houses a king size, wrought iron bed, full ensuite facilities, with a bath with shower over and lovely views across the village green and down through the garden to the River.

		PLEASE dont forget to come back!

The images below are photos of old photographs, so my apologies for the poor quality but they are an important part of the next phase showing the mill when it had 5 millstones. The photograph shows a part of the arrangement of the two front millstones that have been removed along with the hurst frame and the cast iron tentering devices. On the central column there is an eliptical casting but so far nobody has been able to identify what it is and its purpose. - Can you help identify it? Please get in touch if you can.