High Mill

High Mill is a watermill located on Mill Lane in West Ayton, dating from around 1800, although it has earlier origins. The building is constructed from coursed rubble sandstone with hammered stone dressings and has a slate roof. It features a three-storey central block with three windows, flanked by two-storey pent wings, and a rebuilt single-storey lean-to on the left side. The structure has irregular quoins and a central board stable door with a divided overlight leading into the three-storey block. There is a wide cart opening with a heavy timber lintel in the left wing and a similar opening in the lean-to. The right wing originally housed the undershot mill wheel. The mill has pivoting windows, some of which have been replaced while others retain their original iron glazing bars. All openings are framed with heavy lintels and quoined jambs. The central opening on the second floor is blocked by a recessed panel carved with the Hewlay arms. The gables are coped, and there is a stack at the left end. Inside, cast iron fluted columns with caps and bases support the floor beams on all upper floors, and iron brackets remain as strengthening members for the roof trusses.