Building record 6230/1/1 - Yarwell Mill

A watermill built in 1839 to replace an earlier mill documented in 1778. It is situated south east of the village of Yarwell between a mill race and mill stream branching off the River Nene. The mill is constructed of squared coursed limestone with a double pitch Welsh slate roof with ashlar gable parapets and kneelers. Above the eastern gable is a timber and corrugated iron gabled hoist housing. The building is three stories high with a seven window range of casements to each floor. Each gable has a single window beneath the apex. The current building has a 20th century extension at the rear and a corrugated iron lean-too garage on the eastern gable.

{1} Watermill. Datestone 1839. Squared coursed limestone with ashlar dressings and Welsh slate roof. Rectangular plan. 3 storeys. Originally 7-window range. Now an irregular 4-window range of C20 casements, with glazing bars, in original openings, under stone lintels. C20 doorway, to far left. Ashlar quoins and ashlar gable parapets and kneelers. Gable ends have similar one-window ranges. Rear elevation has a C20 lean-to extension. Interior: machinery removed, mill wheel originally in centre of building. Some cast iron columns remain. This mill replaces an earlier building shown on the enclosure map of 1778. (RCHM: An Inventory of Architectural Monuments in North Northamptonshire: p176; Northamptonshire Records Office; Enclosure Maps)

{4} There are four 16th century references to the mill in the Westmorland Papers. The earliest relates that: Thomas Tweford holds 1 water mill called Yarwell Mill..' In 1730 there are references to a new house built for the miller by the Earl of Westmorland. This house remains to the west of the mill. In 1792, John Bullock, a farmer, grazier and flour merchant of Thornaugh insured utensils and stock for £100 in Yarwell corn mill. In 1825 the mill was owned by mr Jelley. The Jelley family were associated with the mill for much of the 19th century. During their tenure, a steam engine, bioler and tall chimney were apparently added. Milling appears to have ceased in c1933, when the mill retained six to nine pairs of stones. It was later used for storage, certainly in use as a grain store in 1975. [Further details on layout on mill in report].

{6} (1086 Although not listed in the Domesday survey it has been suggested that Yarwell was included with Nassington. At the survey Nassintone had two mills rendering 30s 8d).
1730 Earl of Westmorland accounts refer to 'millers' new house' here.
1792 John Bullock, farmer, grazier and flour merchant of Thornhaugh, insured £100 on his utensils and stock in Yarwell Water Corn Mills.
1825 Accident to Mr Jelley's miller at Yarwell Mills who was caught in the machinery and had to have his arm amputated. Mr Jelley was at Elton Mills.
1847-90 Jelley family at Yarwell Mills.
c1933 Milling business reported to have ceased at this time when there were 6-0 pairs of stones in the mill. Mill taken over by a very large farm for grain storage.
C1950 Used for grain storage.

{8} Undated photo;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 15/244 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G12 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN41470.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1984, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.176/27 (Series). SNN77384.

<4> Prentice, J., 2008, Archaeological building and desk-based assessment at Yarwell Mill, Yarwell, Northamptonshire October 2008, checked (Report). SNN107991.

<5> 1730-1, Westmorland of Apethorpe accounts, W(A) 7.XV; 4.VII.4: Misc vol I (Document). SNN110938.

<6> STARMER G., 2002?, Northamptonshire Watermills Survey 2001 - 2002 (H-Z), 141 (Report). SNN105521.

<7> 1777, Enclosure Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN105939.

<8> Photographs of buildings in Yarwell (Photographs). SNN114368.

<9> Historic England, Yarwell Mill, Yarwell, BF084329 (Archive). SNN115189.

Record last edited

Feb 5 2025 7:34PM