Building record 727/29/1 - Towcester Mill

Towcester Mill was originally a flour mill of 1794 which was driven by a large conventional breast wheel. Within about 50 years a second, high-breast wheel had been added to make more efficient use of the water supply in times of restricted flow. In 1911 the upper floors of the mill were damaged by fire and the upper storey was subsequently rebuilt. Around the same time the east water-wheel was removed and replaced by an Armfield turbine installed with mechanical drives. Between 1911 and 1937 a large extension was added to the north side of the 18th century mill, the machinery of which was driven by electric motors; the electricity being generated by the turbine. By this time the west water-wheel had become redundant. In 1937 the early 20th century addition was extended by means of a range added to its east elevation. In the second half of the 1990s it was converted to office accommodation.

{1} Former watermill, now antique warehouse. Dated 1794, with large C20 red brick additions. Coursed squared ironstone, C20 plain-tile roofs, stone end stack. 3 storeys and attic. Building spans mill race and has central double-leaf part-glazed door in gable end facing lane with segmental-arched head, a similar door at first floor level to left, small one-light window with wood lintel to second floor and 3-light casement with wood lintel to second floor and 3-light casement window with segmental-arched head in gable. Limestone datestone above. Similar casements to first floor of left side elevation, and 1- and 2-light casements to second floor with wood lintels. Segmental-headed archway over mill race. Quoins, hollow-chamfered stone eaves and stone-coped gables with kneelers. Single-storey brick extension to left with hipped and lean-to slate roofs. 3-storey early C20 brick extension at right angles to right with ironstone quoins. Hexagonal brick tower of 1937 is not of special architectural interest. Interior: some machinery belonging to former mill.

{2} Dated 1794, former water mill. It has large 20th century red brick additions. 3 storeys and attic. 3-storey additions including hexagon brick tower dated 1937. Now antique warehouse.

{3} Mill. The present building for the flour mill was erected in 1794 and was substantially extended in the 19th century, the building suffered a fire in 1911. Both the mill and the mill house are ironstone buildings which are still in existence - the mill itself has a red brick extension to the side, the former now houses an antiques business whilst the latter is in use as offices. Film 3, photo 24,25; Film 4, photo 1.

{7} Four undated photos, also three dated 28.02.1996, ten dated 06.03.1996, one dated 20.06.1996, and five dated 22.04.1997;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 13/138 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F08 p.60 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN45262.

<3> Ballinger J., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Towcester (Industrial), (unchecked) (Digital archive). SNN100255.

<4> STARMER G., 2002?, Northamptonshire Watermills Survey 2001 - 2002 (H-Z), (checked) (Report). SNN105521.

<5> Giggins, B., 2005, Towcester's Industrial Archaeology (Leaflet). SNN107693.

<6> Historic England, Undated, TOWCESTER MILL, MOAT LANE, TOWCESTER, BF091029 (Archive). SNN113179.

<7> Photographs of buildings in Towcester (Photographs). SNN114425.

Record last edited

Jan 18 2023 2:26PM