Monument record 6270/1 - Nunn Mills

Mills documented on this site since 1086. The last mill was constructed in 1885, next to an existing watermill built in 1765. The mills have been completely cleared.

{1} Nunn Mills post medieval watermill. The site had been cleared by 1968.

{3} The mills were part of the dowry estates of Princess Joan of Navarre when in 1403 she married Henry IV. Soon after they were given to the Cluniac nuns of Delapre Abbey. At this time they became known as Queen Joan's Mills and later as Quengeons. An inquiry of 1591 mentions Nunn Mills as three corn mills under the same roof. In 1827 they were owned by the Bouverie family and leased to Joseph Westley of Blisworth. They received imported wheat and coal from boats on the river. The coal was used to run a steam engine and later a roller mill. In 1847 both steam and water power were being used but by 1894 only steam power. In 1895 A.W.Clark joined the firm and it became a limited company. In 1945 they became part of the Hovis Group. During the period of 1961-68 the mill was producing animal feed.

{5} 1086 Domesday records two mills in Hardingestorp, rendering 50s.
1135 Known as Conches Meline when its tithe was granted to St Andrew's Priory, Northampton.
1199 Mill ceased to be the property of the crown when it was given to King David I, King of Scotland.
1274 Two waterwheels under one roof.
1403 Henry IV married Joan of Navarre whose dowry estates included Conchesmelne.
She gave the mills to the nuns of Delapre Abbey after which they became known as Queen Joan's Mills.
1538 Mills again became crown property with the dissolution of the Convent of Delapre.
1591 These mills were referred to as Quyn Johns, Quingeons and Nunne Mills at a court action concerning a dispute with Rush Mills.
1684 By this time the mills were in possession of the Tate family.
1721 William Wykes of Haslebeech took a lease of Nunn Mills to use it for his waterworks to supply Northampton. At this time the mill had three waterwheels and five pairs of stones.
1754-5 Mateials of the water-works at Northampton advertised for sale after failure of the scheme.
1761 Nene made navigable to Northampton by a new cut to the north of the old river, joining the by-pass channel from Nunn Mills before joining the natural course of the river downstream of the mills. Consequently the original course of the river became the leat for Nunn Mills.
1762 Nun-Mill was entirely burnt down 'with all the works of the mill'.
1765 Mills had been rebuilt.
1827 Mills advertised to let, having three pairs of stones with dressing machines.
1834 First reference to a steam engine helping to work the mill which by this time had six pairs of stones.
1844 Reference to seven pairs of stones at the mills.
1859 Only four pairs of stones worked, using water and steam power.
1866 Mills leased to Joseph Westley of Blisworth, who installed a new steam engine.
1879 Roller milling plant at Nunn Mills.
1885 New five-storey mill erected, adjoining the north side of the existing watermill. This housed roller milling plant, powered entirely by a 150 horse power steam engine.
1895 Partnership of Westley Brothers and Clark formed to run the business.
1945 Westley Brothers & Clark Ltd became part of Hovis.
1961 Flour milling ceased, and Vitovis Ltd ground animal foods on the site.
1960s New provender mill erected on west side of road past the mills, and the five-storey building used as a store.
1968 Provender milling ceased.
C1970 Site acquired by Avon Cosmetics and buildings demolished soon afterwards.

{6} Postcard of 1906 or earlier.

{7} Sketch.

<1> Starmer G.H., 1982, National Register of Industrial Monuments, p.9-17 (part checked) (Catalogue). SNN563.

<2> Wood; Law, 1847, Town Map of Northampton, (checked) (Map). SNN752.

<3> NORTHAMPTON BOROUGH COUNCIL, 1987, Watermills in Northampton: History & Survivals, p.12 (checked) (Booklet). SNN15540.

<4> Beamish H., 2003, Nunn Mills Site, Delapre, Northampton: Desktop Assessment, (unchecked) (Report). SNN103890.

<5> STARMER G., 2002?, Northamptonshire Watermills Survey 2001 - 2002 (A-H), p. 62 (Report). SNN105520.

<6> Mills Archive, WPAC-WAT-01277, accessed 25/05/2021 (Website). SNN112490.

<7> Mills Archive, MUNN-02-02-069, accessed 25/05/2021 (Website). SNN112490.

Record last edited

Apr 23 2025 8:22PM