Swineford Copper Mills Including Waterwheels And Machinery

Swineford Copper Mills, an important industrial complex, was founded by John Freeman and Company in 1840 and converted to a flock mill in the 1860s. The foundation of the Copper Mill is from the 18th century, and some remains may date from before 1840. The site consists of two main blocks, whose original purposes are now difficult to determine due to their varied historical uses.

The main block appears to be early 19th century but is dated 1840. It is constructed of coursed rubble with dressed quoins and an ashlar parapet. The river front features two storeys with three windows, which have glazing bar casements in elliptical heads with brick dressings. There are large blocked doors on each floor to the right, and the building has a hipped pantile roof. An adjoining wing, likely from the late 18th century, is two storeys high with three windows. The ground floor has moulded mid-19th century long mullion windows with cornices, although these have been altered. This wing also has a pantiled roof with brick stacks.

The secondary block has a plaque inscribed "Swineford Copper Mills J F and Co MDCCCXL". It is a single storey building made of coursed rubble with brick dressings and various openings, topped with a pantile roof. The rear features five gabled extensions, three of which have cut finial saddlestones, while one is hipped. The machinery on site includes two probably original waterwheels and shafting from the flock mill, along with two ashlar projections to the left of the front for the watercourses. A mill owner's cottage and a small outbuilding to the south are not included in this listing.