Ivybridge Aqueduct, and remains of the mill wheel house

Aqueduct and remains of a mill wheel house, constructed in the late C18 or early C19, to serve a woollen mill.

MATERIALS: coursed squared granite rubble with red brick and some cement render.

PLAN: 12 arches, on a north/south alignment, serving an overshot wheel house, formerly part of the mill (now demolished). An overflow channel alongside the aqueduct on the east side is served by three sluices (only one of which is still in operation). At the south end, the aqueduct turns an angle to the south-west, towards the wheel house.

The Ivybridge AQUEDUCT consists of 12 round-headed arches, carrying a water channel to the wheel house of the former mill. The walls and arches were partly rebuilt in red brick in 1896, as evidenced by the cast-iron date over an arch. At the same time, a dentil coping of rounded bricks was added; this is incomplete. There are recessed panels above the arches. A substantial part of the west side, and the north-east part of the aqueduct, are rendered with cement. To the south end, in the angle, a narrow arch, with a wider arch at the south end, carrying the channel over the roadway towards the wheel house.

The remains of the MILL WHEEL HOUSE are in a ruinous condition. The walls, of slate random rubble, with squared granite and brick dressings, only partly remain; iron bars have been inserted to support the structure. Arched openings remain in the walls. The wheelpit is stopped, the wheel having been removed. A low wall with railing has been erected surrounding the north-western part of the wheelpit.