Fringford Mill And Attached Millhouse

Fringford Mill and the attached millhouse are a watermill and millhouse dating from the 18th century, with possible medieval origins. The buildings have undergone repairs and additions in the 19th and 20th centuries. They are constructed from coursed limestone rubble and squared coursed blocks of limestone, with some brick repairs. The left end gable of the mill is weatherboarded, and the structure features a steeply-pitched red tile roof with brick internal ridge and end stacks. The mill has a long rectangular range with a four-unit plan, while the watermill itself has a two-unit plan.

The buildings are two storeys high with an attic. The main entrance is located at the left end, featuring two doors on the front; one leads into a projecting lean-to on the left, which has a three-light casement, while the other door has a wooden lintel. The left gable has two renewed 20th-century metal casements. The single-storey lean-to includes reset two-light wood-mullioned windows and a 20th-century window.

Inside, the mill has a butt-purlin roof with collars and side purlins, and it contains two working millstones along with associated mill furniture and tools. The tuns and horses remain on the stone floor, as do the meal arks on the floor below. An unusually slender wooden upright shaft with fine facets is present. The mill machinery is primarily made of iron and dates to the later 19th century, with the stone furniture incorporating earlier woodwork. The exterior mill wheel is a breast waterwheel from the 19th century.

The millhouse has a two-unit plan with a 20th-century extension on the right end. It is two storeys high with a two-window range. The recessed entrance to the left has a 20th-century door, and there are three 20th-century casements with two additional 20th-century casements above. A large buttress is located in the center. The interior has not been inspected but is said to feature base crucks.

A mill at Fringford was mentioned in the Domesday survey as part of the holdings of Cogges Prior. The mill was operated until the early 20th century by the Fennemore family and continues to be used for demonstrations.