Building record 802 - Stanthorne Mill

<1> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 367/2 c.1842 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

This map depicts a long mill pond on the River Wheelock, the mill building and a further building to the south-west. To the west is a building described as a cottage and garden.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ6966, 1875 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

This map depicts a long mill pond on the River Wheelock c.200 metres to the south-east. A long head race, labelled ‘Mill Lade’, connects the pond to the mill building. A tail race runs c.110 metres north-west from the mill building to the course of the river. A building is located to the immediate south-west of the mill buildings, with a further building to the west. Some smaller buildings are also depicted. Labelled 'Stanthorne Mills (Corn)'.

<3> Norris J.H., 1968, The Water-Powered Corn Mills of Cheshire, p.59 (Article in Journal). SCH6001.

A four storey whitewashed eighteenth century brick mill building, altered in the nineteenth century to allow loading from the adjacent roadway. Two undershot waterwheels of which only the shafts and spokes remain. A further wheel was used for pumping and generating electricity. The mill was in operation up to 1939. Most of the machinery was removed in 1955. The semicircular weir and whole of the watercourse are interesting, though damaged during a flood in 1947. Documentary evidence indicates that there was a mill on the site in 1350.

<4> Bluesky International Ltd, 2010, 2010 Bluesky Survey, UXP_101010_4996, 10/10/2010 (Aerial Photograph). SCH5444.

Parts of the mill pond still holds water, but the mill race is now dry.

<5> Cheshire County Council, 1974, County Treasures Record, 75/59 (Y) (Index). SCH1000.

Apparently on a fourteenth century site. Shown on Swire and Hutchings' 1830 map (see 7) and Bryant's 1831 map (see 6).

<6> Bryant, A., 1831, Map of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH2114.

The mill and mill pond are depicted on this map. Labelled 'Stanthorn Mill'.

<7> Swire, W. & Hutchings, W. F., 1830, Map of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH2116.

The mill is depicted, but not named on this map.

<8> Ashmore, O, 1982, The Industrial Archaeology of North West England, p.62 (Book). SCH3181.

An ancient mill site on the river Wheelock, just west of Middlewich. Four-storeyed brick mill building still survives in a derelict state. The mill originally had two undershot wheels and the machinery was removed c.1955. A weir is located above the bridge to the south.

<9> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 57362 (Digital Archive). SCH4666.

Mill building. Eighteenth century with nineteenth and twentieth century additions. Whitewashed brick with slate roof. Three storeys with attic. Entrance front: nineteenth century in date. Gable end of three bays and two storeys. Central double doors to ground floor with hood mould above of brick and two-light casement windows to either side also with brick hood-moulds. Similar lateral first floor windows and central loft door, now converted to a window of three by four panes. Left hand return: nine bays with a certain amount of scattered fenestration. Full nine bays to ground floor, those three at left of nineteenth century date having a central cambered-headed doorway to the ground floor with two-light cambered headed windows to either side. Two first floor single-light cambered headed windows above and one central second floor single-light window. To the left of these are the four first floor lights and five second floor lights. Right hand front: similar to the left-hand front with a projecting outshut at left. Interior: Some machinery surviving including drive shaft and wheels with metal cogs. Sack pulley to top floor.

<10> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 57366 (Digital Archive). SCH4666.

Weir and bridge over River Wheelock. c1850. Red and black brick in engineering bond with stone dressings. Bridge has round arch, brick voussoirs and concave retaining walls to either side terminating in square piers to either end. Stone coping. Weir has canted waterfall to upriver side of the bridge.

<11> Bott O J P, 1983, Cornmill sites in Cheshire 1066-1850 Part 2, p.62 (Article in Journal). SCH6105.