Tide Mill (Known As The House Mill)

The tide mill, also known as the House Mill, dates to 1776. It is located on Three Mills Lane in Bromley by Bow. The south façade faces Three Mills Lane and is built of multi-coloured stock brick. The north side is timber framed with some brick infilling and exterior weather boarding, with two brick bays on either side. The roof is steeply pitched, covered with Welsh slate, and has brick coping to the gable ends. The building is three storeys high, with two further storeys in the roof. Ten sash windows are set within flush frames on the southern façade, each featuring a cambered head lining under a segmental arch. There are three box dormers on each floor of the roof, and all windows have glazing bars, with the dormer windows having small panes. Doorways are symmetrically placed on the ground, first, and second floors. A central tablet on the second floor displays an achievement surrounding a cartouche with the date 1776 and the initials DSB.

The interior features massive timber knees that tie the framing of the north wall into the joists of the first floor, supported by massive timber posts of square section. The construction is generally timber-framed throughout, with some concrete flooring on the ground floor and cast iron supporting pillars above. Much of the original mill machinery remains, including four undershot water wheels: three are 20 feet in diameter and 3 feet wide, potentially developing 20-25 horsepower each, while the westernmost wheel is 19 feet in diameter and 8 feet wide, with a potential of 40-45 horsepower. Part of the drive mechanism and gearing to the two eastern wheels remains. Hoist flaps provide access to the floors above. Several French-type millstones remain in situ on the first floor, and the eastern bay on this floor contains an almost complete pattern shop with patterns used for cast iron work in the mills and distillery during the 18th and 19th centuries. A large timber grain hopper, shaped like a wedge, is incorporated into the ceiling of the room below on the second floor. Sack hoist machinery is located on the fourth floor.

Mills were recorded on the River Lea in the Domesday Book, and mills on this site were in the possession of the Abbey of Stratford Langthorne until the Reformation. The House Mill was used for the distillation of alcohol from the 18th century and was last in operation in 1942. The mill is of significant merit as part of a picturesque group, consisting of the Clock Mill, former offices, a paved and flagged roadway, and the wide expanse of the river with its embanking stone walls.