Building record 6237/1/1 - Holdenby Watermill

At Domesday in 1086 there was one mill at Holdenby. There are references to the mill in the medieval and post-medieval period. The last reference to a miller here is in 1910. The current building is a substantial stone former watermill and corn mill extant in the 19th century and latterly electrically operated.

{1} Post medieval corngrinding mill. A stone-built structure. The water courses have been diverted and the head/tail race is almost dry but the route is still traceable. The waterwheel and mill machinery have been removed.

{4} A fine brown stone two-storey building, almost uniform across both mill and mill house, with window and door lintels, and a string course incorporating the sills of the upper floor windows of a lighter stone. All machinery has been removed.

{5} On a leat from the Spratton Brook. At Domesday there was one mill rendering 8s. In 1381 the watermill was leased by Walter de Haldenby to Nicholas Bowman for 40s annual rent. In 1729 the miller is named as Robert Bramley. In 1806 John Branston of Holdenby Mill insured the watermill for £300. From 1854-78 the Orland family lived at the mill. It was advertised to let in 1879, and in 1910 is the last reference to a miller here.
Two storey brown ashlar building with slated gable roof, continuous over its seven bays. The westernmost four bays constitute the former mill, whilst the other three form the mill house. The mill house has three light windows in both storeys of the outside bays; the central bay has a door at ground floor level. A string course is continuous with the upper window sills. A taking in door is located in the second bay, upper storey. Converted to dwelling. A single storey building adjoining the south-west end of the buildng formerly housed the water wheel. By 1964 the waterwheel and mill machinery had been removed. Site inspected 14/02/2001.

{6} Un-named mill shown.

{7} Un-named mill shown approximately at this location.

{8} Marked as 'flour mill'.

{9} Marked as 'Holdenby Mill'.

{10} Shows the mill.

<1> Starmer G.H., 1964, CBA Record Cards: Industrial Archaeology in Northamptonshire, Recorded by GH Starmer, 15-Aug-1964, Record No.308309 (Recording Form (Not SMR)). SNN1647.

<2> Starmer G.H., 1973, National Register of Industrial Monuments, (part checked) (Catalogue). SNN571.

<3> Starmer G.H., 1982, National Register of Industrial Monuments, (part checked) (Catalogue). SNN563.

<4> Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group, 2001, A Guide To The Industrial Heritage Of Northamptonshire, p.36 (checked) (Gazetteer). SNN104759.

<5> STARMER G., 2002?, Northamptonshire Watermills Survey 2001 - 2002 (H-Z), p.72 (checked) (Report). SNN105521.

<6> 1584, Map of Chapel Brampton & Church Brampton, (unchecked) (Map). SNN15884.

<7> Eyre T. (Revised by Jefferys T.), 1779, Map of the County of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Map). SNN1852.

<8> Bryant A., 1827, Map of The County of Northampton, (unchecked0 (Map). SNN2733.

<9> Ordnance Survey, 1834, First Edition Ordnance Survey 1 Inch Map Series (Sheet 52), (unchecked) (Map). SNN281.

<10> 1842, Holdenby Tithe Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN18157.

Record last edited

Mar 7 2024 2:55PM