Monument record 2109 - Batherton Mill

<1> Bott O J P, 1983, Cornmill sites in Cheshire 1066-1850 Part 2, p.62 (Article in Journal). SCH6105.

A watermill site at Batherton Hall, first mentioned in 1354 (see 2) and depicted on historic maps

<2> Dodgson J McN, 1970-2, 1981, The Place-Names of Cheshire, Vol.III, p.50 (Book). SCH3228.

The earliest documentary reference to the moledinum de Bertherton dates from 1354.

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

This map depicts a watermill at this approximate location.

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

Source (1) reports that the mill is depicted on this map.

<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 Batherton Mill.

<6> Norris J.H., 1968, The Water-Powered Corn Mills of Cheshire, p.61 (Article in Journal). SCH6001.

The mill is now largely demolished leaving the three-arched mill bridge for the public footpath.

<7> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 42/2 c.1839 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

This map depicts the mill race / river channel, but not the mill. The sinuous overflow channel may be the original course of the river. It begins in a small pool which not depicted as attached to the river channel. The area between the two watercourse is called Mill Meadow.

<8> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ6549, 1875-1876 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

This map depicts the mill building across the river channel / mill race. The mill is labelled Batherton Mill (Flour). The channel to the south-east is labelled Mill Race. The river channel / mill race to the immediate north-east of the mill building is wider and pool-like. A short c.10 metre dry channel is shown connecting this area of the mill race to the overflow channel. Otherwise as previously depicted on the 1839 tithe map (see 7).

<9> Ordnance Survey, 1896-1898, Ordnance Survey First Revision County Series (Epoch 2) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ6549, 1898 (Maps and Plans). SCH3848.

The overflow channel joins the tail race using the previously depicted dry channel. The old course downstream is now largely dry. The beginning of the overflow channel seems to have shifted slightly north. The mill is labelled (Corn). Otherwise as previously depicted.

<10> Ordnance Survey, 1909-1912, Ordnance Survey Second Revision County Series (Epoch 3) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ6549, 1909 (Maps and Plans). SCH4361.

The beginning of the overflow channel seems to be as depicted on the 1875-6 map, though sluices are now depicted at this location. Otherwise as previously depicted.

<12> Royal Air Force, 1944-1947, 1940s RAF Aerial Photographs from Operation Review, CPE\UK\1935 no.3461, 17/01/1947 (Aerial Photograph). SCH8041.

The mill building appears to be extant and the various channels and leats depicted on the 1909 map are extant. Unused sections of the overflow channel are visible as earthworks. There are no obvious slices or weir structures at the start of the overflow channel.

<13> Huntings Surveys Ltd, 1971-1973, 1971-1973 County Survey, HSL UK 73 62 Run 29 no.3127, 16/05/1973 (Aerial Photograph). SCH4881.

The mill building has been demolished and the overflow channel is largely an earthwork.

<14> Environment Agency, 2003-2020, Environment Agency LiDAR Surveys, Composite DSM 1m (2022) (Digital Archive). SCH7819.