Monument record 744/2 - Hulme Mill

<1> Norris J.H., 1968, The Water-Powered Corn Mills of Cheshire, p.65 (Article in Journal). SCH6001.

A brick building forming part of the farm complex and now used as a machinery store.

<2> Burdett, P. P., 1777, A Survey of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH113.

This map depicts a watermill at this location. It is named Hulme Mill.

<3> Greenwood, C. & Greenwood J., 1819, Map of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH2115.

This map labels the mill and depicts the mill pond, but does not depict any buildings.

<4> Bryant, A., 1831, Map of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH2114.

This map depicts a watermill and mill pond at this location. It is named Hulme Mill.

<5> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 10/2, 1847 & EDT 288/2, 1841 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

This map depicts the mill building to the west of the north-south lane, with the mill pond to the north-west, suggesting the lane runs along the top of the millpond’s dam. To further buildings lie directly adjacent to the lane to the immediate south of the mill building. The mill building is aligned north-west to south-east along its longest axis. The additional buildings are aligned north-south. The feeder channel to the mill pond is depicted for c.630 metres to the east of the millpond, to the township boundary. It is not depicted on the tithe map for the adjacent township (Nether Peover). Probable overflow least are depicted at the north-western corner of the mill pond and at its eastern end. These least return water to Bradshaw Brook. The head and tail races are not depicted. Labelled Hulme Mill. The plot is described as: house, outbuildings, water corn mill, yard and garden.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ7172, 1877 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

The course of Bradshaw Brook appears to wholly diverted into the millpond’s feeder channel at SJ73117299. No overflow channel is depicted at the eastern end of the millpond. The course of the lane suggests that the mill dam is L shaped, the mill being located on the bottom of the L. The overflow leat, controlled by a sluice, is located centrally on the millpond dam’s longest side. The tail race is depicted as originating at the north-western end of the mill, suggesting the mill wheel was located here. It is possible that the mill wheel was enclosed within the mill building. The tail race and overflow leat join to the south-west, before joining the former stream course via a canalised section. Two north-south aligned and adjoining buildings with various attached smaller buildings are depicted to the immediate south of the mill. Labelled Hulme Mill (Corn).

<7> Ordnance Survey, 1896-1898, Ordnance Survey First Revision County Series (Epoch 2) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ7172, 1898 (Maps and Plans). SCH3848.

As previously depicted. Some silting of the mill pond along on the north-eastern and eastern side is shown.

<8> Ordnance Survey, 1909-1912, Ordnance Survey Second Revision County Series (Epoch 3) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ7172, 1909-1910 (Maps and Plans). SCH4361.

As previously depicted. Some silting of the mill pond eastern half is shown and a small circular island is depicted.

<9> The GeoInformation Group, 2005, 1940s RAF Aerial Photographs from Operation Review (Aerial Photograph). SCH4608.

The mill pond appears to have been drained or has silted up. A channel is visible running along the southern and south-western edge of the mill pond, but within the area of the mill pond, to the approximate location of the overflow sluice.

<10> Huntings Surveys Ltd, 1971-1973, 1971-1973 County Survey, HSL UK 73 61 Run 32 no.2439, 16/05/73 (Aerial Photograph). SCH4881.

The mill pond now appears to be pasture and isn't clearly differentiated from the adjacent field. Bradshaw Brook appears to now flow along its former course.

<11> Airviews Ltd, 1983-5, 1983-1985 Airviews Survey, Run 5 no.41502, 02/06/1985 (Aerial Photograph). SCH5296.

The buildings to the south of the mill building have been demolished.

<12> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Edwards R, 18/02/2025 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

Planning permission was granted in 1975 for the conversion of the mill building into two flats (Vale Royal Borough Council 4/00/01384). Further extensions and alterations were approved in 2013 (Cheshire West and Chester Council 13/04389/FUL).

<13> Environment Agency, 2003-2020, Environment Agency LiDAR Surveys, Composite 1m DTM (2022) (Digital Archive). SCH7819.

The mill pond, dam, and overflow leat are visible as earthworks.

<14> Dodgson J McN, 1970-2, 1981, The Place-Names of Cheshire, Vol.II p.217 (Book). SCH3228.

The earliest documentary reference to the mill dates from 1549 "the water milne of Hulme called Hulme mylne".