Mill Building at Iron Mills

The Mill Building at Iron Mills is a structure dating from the early 19th century, with a 20th-century extension. It is constructed of granite rubble and features a corrugated iron and tile roof, gabled at both ends. The building originally housed a water wheel on the north side, facing the road. Although the iron and timber undershot wheel is no longer operational, it powered trip hammers for a tool-making industry until 1937. The building is single storey and likely has an extension on the left (west) end, which is rendered. The elm and iron wheel is positioned in the center, with a doorway under a timber lintel to the right. The roof trusses were replaced in the early 20th century. Despite its modest appearance, the building holds significant industrial archaeological importance, as the tool-making industry at Iron Mills began around 1820 and utilized the water wheel for power until approximately 1937. Currently, two trip hammers—one from the late 19th century and one from before the First World War—are still operational at Iron Mill, located in the 20th-century extension, and are possibly the only trip hammers still in use in the country. There are plans to restore the mill wheel to working order.