Walkern Mill, And Number 161 (Millers Cottage)

A water mill and adjoining house, dating in part to the early 17th century, are located on the River Beane in Walkern. The mill was rebuilt in 1826 and subsequently altered in 1836 and 1856. It was converted to steam power in 1881 and ceased working in 1933, undergoing residential conversion in 1980-81. The mill is constructed of red brick with a gambrel roof. The upper roof slope is covered in Welsh slate, while the lower slope uses green Westmorland slate decorated with large and small lozenge motifs. It is a tall, L-shaped building of three storeys and attics, with the main range running east-west and a wing projecting south. Broad pilasters mark each bay, narrowing above the second floor. Cast iron tie-plates are present. The south gable features decorative cast iron windows with pointed arches (two per floor and one in the attic). Segmental arches define the wider windows elsewhere. Gabled lucams are positioned on the north and south sides of the main range, each with glazed doors. Painted lettering on the south gable reads ‘G D PEARMAN/WALKERN - defaced to confuse invaders 1939-45/FLOUR MILLS/1881’, with the dates ‘1828’, ‘1836’, and ‘1856’ shown in smaller figures. The mill’s internal structure of timber beams and floors originally rested on cast iron columns, but has largely been replaced with reinforced concrete, though some original cast iron columns remain. Tall queen-post timber trusses are preserved on the attic floor. The adjoining house, to the west, has a timber frame encased in red brick, with buff segmental window arches and a steep, old red tile roof. 20th-century extensions to the northwest are of minimal significance. The house is a two-storey, three-bay structure facing south, with the western bay partitioned off from the two-bay hall, which now abuts the mill on the east. A symmetrical three-window facade is present, with a parapeted gabled brick porch over the central door. Recessed wooden casement windows are visible. A central chimney at the west end of the hall serves the room at the end, with a staircase rising behind it. A later small chimney is located at the east end of the hall. Inside, exposed timbers are visible, including jowled posts, close studding with numbered joints, a butt-purlin roof with tenoned rafters and wind braces, and a face-halved bladed scarf in the front wallplate. The rear slope of the house has been raised using props from the original structure.