Upwey Mill

Upwey Mill is a corn mill dating to 1802, marked with the initials "IG" on a stone beneath the hoist. It is constructed of squared and coursed Portland stone with large flush quoins, and has a slate roof. The building is compact, arranged over four floors plus an attic, and features an overshot water wheel fed by a leat immediately to the west, with a prominent, projecting hoist clad and roofed in corrugated iron.

The exterior presents five bays, with the central bay containing hauling doors. The windows are all three-light horizontal bar wood casements set within stone voussoirs, lacking sills. Bay three includes a narrow pair of plank doors leading to a stone landing with a simple iron-railed staircase, incorporating a gate, and plank hauling doors above. A deep, projecting hoist housing is supported by props. A wide segmental arch opening on the right side leads to the large iron water wheel, approximately 7 metres in diameter and 2.7 metres wide. The half-hipped gables each contain Diocletian windows with small-pane glazing, and a twelve-pane sash window is located at second-floor level on the south end. The right return wall has a wide opening revealing the substantial iron water wheel. Adjacent to the mill is a stable and cart-shed building with a corrugated-iron mansard roof, featuring two doors with loading doors in dormers. At the rear, there are two three-light casements at first and second floors, alongside a fixed nine-pane window at the first floor, all set within wood lintels with a stop-chamfered soffit under relieving arches. A plank door is situated near the centre at leat level, accessed by a high stone step, accompanied by a brick segmental arch leading to the wheel-race on the left. The leat is lined with dressed stone revetments and includes a cast-iron drop gate to the sluice.

The interior, while not inspected, is known to contain complete milling machinery, including a vertical pit-wheel with wooden cogs driving a vertical shaft and horizontal wheel to two pairs of millstones on the first floor, with additional gearing on the upper floor, all supported by a massive timber frame. The main structure incorporates a series of massive transverse beams across five bays. Historical records indicate that Upwey Mill, along with Sutton Poyntz, inspired Thomas Hardy’s depiction of Overcombe Mill in his novel The Trumpet Major. The mill ceased operation in 1991 and, along with the adjacent Mill House, is recognised for its historical and architectural significance.