Monument record 1708/1 - Bickley Mill

<1> Norris J.H., 1968, The Water-Powered Corn Mills of Cheshire, p.62 (Article in Journal). SCH6001.

The mill building originally comprised a three-storey centre block and two-storey wings of brick and slate. The water was piped from Cholmondeley Park into a pond and then tailed into Bar Mere. The wheel is said to have been approximately thirty-six feet in diameter and of overshot type, weighing ten tons. It was sold to be used decoratively elsewhere but proved immovable and was broken up when the mill was demolished in 1960.

<2> Bott O J P, 1986, Cornmill sites in Cheshire 1066-1850 Part 6, p.27 (Article in Journal). SCH6108.

The water was piped from Cholmondeley Park, tailing into Bar Mere. Little survives. There was a watermill, probably at NGR 544 484, recorded in 1653.

<3> Burdett, P. P., 1777, A Survey of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH113.

Bickley Mill is not depicted at this location. It is depicted as being located circa one kilometre to the north-west between Bickley Moss and Higher Snab.

<4> Greenwood, C. & Greenwood J., 1819, Map of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH2115.

This map depicts a watermill at this location.

<5> Bryant, A., 1831, Map of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH2114.

This map depicts a watermill at this location. It is labelled Bickley Mill.

<6> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 100/3, c.1842 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

This map depicts a group of three buildings at this location. There is no further detail.

<7> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ5348, 1874-1875 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

This map depicts the mill and mill pond. The mill pond is sub-rectangular in shape, tapering at its south-eastern end where it is closest to the mill building. An overflow leat runs south-west from its south-western corner for c.140 metres, before turning south-east and running into Bar Mere. A short head race connects the mill pond to the mill building, which is labelled Bickley Mill (Flour). The tail race appears to be largely covered over. A further building is depicted to the north of the mill building. It is possibly the miller’s house.

<8> Ordnance Survey, 1896-1898, Ordnance Survey First Revision County Series (Epoch 2) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ5348, 1898 (Maps and Plans). SCH3848.

Further buildings have been constructed to the south of the mill building, including a long narrow building on top of the assumed course of the subterranean tail race.

<9> Ordnance Survey, 1909-1912, Ordnance Survey Second Revision County Series (Epoch 3) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ5348, 1911 (Maps and Plans). SCH4361.

Labelled Bickley Mill (Provender)

<10> GeoInformation Group, 1940, Luftwaffe Aerial Photographs (Aerial Photograph). SCH5167.

The mill building, other buildings, overflow leat and mill pond are clearly visible.

<11> The GeoInformation Group, 2005, 1940s RAF Aerial Photographs from Operation Review (Aerial Photograph). SCH4608.

The mill pond has silted up and a channel has been cut connecting the inlet to the overflow leat.

<12> Huntings Surveys Ltd, 1971-1973, 1971-1973 County Survey, HSL UK 73 58 Run 21 no.1525, 16/05/1973 (Aerial Photograph). SCH4881.

The mill building and all of the associated buildings, with the exception of the possible miller’s house have been demolished.

<13> Environment Agency, 2003-2020, Environment Agency LiDAR Surveys, Composite DSM 1m 2020 (24/10/2022) (Digital Archive). SCH7819.

A sub-rectangular earthwork corresponding to the mill pond is clearly visible as a negative earthwork.