Monument record 226 - Winterley Mill

<1> Bott O J P, 1984, Cornmill sites in Cheshire 1066-1850 Part 4, p.32 (Article in Journal). SCH6107.

Site of a watermill first mentioned in 1572. A windmill was added during the 19th century. The 1572 reference is to a watermill site on Fowles Brook. The Tithe Award (see 8) field names suggest this (like other references) was Winterley Mill. The mill is depicted on maps by Burdett (see 4), Greenwood (see 5), Swire & Hutchings (see 6) and Bryant (see 7).

<2> Norris J.H., 1968, The Water-Powered Corn Mills of Cheshire, p.71 (Article in Journal). SCH6001.

Present building is a three-storey brick and tiled building built against a dam with direct loading to the top floor from the A534. The machinery and the wheel (possibly overshot) have been removed and the premises are now used for light engineering. There is an exceptionally large pool fed by drainage from Oakhanger Moss, a good example of an inadequate water supply being impounded to form a large storage reservoir. The mill ceased to work about 1926. There was a drying kiln, now demolished.

<3> Ashmore, O, 1982, The Industrial Archaeology of North West England, p.42 (Book). SCH3181.

Three storey brick mill, built against dam, loading opening on A534 road front. Large millpond to east of road. On the roadside is Cheshire County Council cast iron milestone of 1896.

<4> Burdett, P. P., 1777, A Survey of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH113.

<5> Greenwood, C. & Greenwood J., 1819, Map of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH2115.

<6> Swire, W. & Hutchings, W. F., 1830, Map of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH2116.

<7> Bryant, A., 1831, Map of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH2114.

<8> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 189/1 & 2, 1839 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

The mill and the tail/head race are depicted. The adjacent fields (no's 222 and 223) are named Little Mill Meadow and Mill and Croft respectively. A further field to the south (no. 225) is named Windmill Field, a may be the location of the windmill.

<9> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ7457, 1874-1875 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

The mill building is depicted and is labelled 'Flour Mill'. There is a further building to the immediate south and the mill house to the south of that. The overflow leat is depicted at the southern end of the dam and is associated with a weir. There is some silting of the mill pond depicted.

<10> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Edwards R, 03/11/2015 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

The mill was demolished in the 1990s.

<11> Dodgson J McN, 1970-2, 1981, The Place-Names of Cheshire, Vol.III, p.14 (Book). SCH3228.

The earliest documentary reference to Wynteley Mylne dates from 1570 (see 12).

<12> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, Vol.III, p.316 (Book). SCH1389.

There are various references to a water mill or mills, but not specifically Winterley Mill by name, including:
1460: "…one water mill…"
1519: "…one water mill, and twenty acres covered with water…"
1524: "…and two water mills, as before…"