SNN105520 - Northamptonshire Watermills Survey 2001 - 2002 (A-H)

This survey aimed to assess the remaining evidence of 141 water mill sites in Northamptonshire, as identified from an inspection of maps from the early 18th century. Sites were identified on each of the seven major rivers having their sources in the county although the majority (69%) were on the River Nene and its tributaries. No remains were found on 52 (37%) of the sites, 26 (18%) had no upstanding buildings but some ground level evidence, and 63 (45%) had buildings. Of the sites with buildings, only 6 (10%) had the mill building virtually unchanged. On 31 sites (49%) the mill had been converted to be part of a dwelling, and on 19 (30%) other sites the mill had been converted to other purposes. Seven (11%) sites retained only the mill-house. Most of the conversions have involved destruction of all the machinery. Only 8 had waterwheels, mostly derelict although two were virtually complete but no longer had a water supply. Only one was capable of working its associated machinery. Two sites were identified as having water turbines but only one of these was in working condition. Three mills had almost complete transmission and milling machinery but one no longer had a water supply for its wheel. Another of the three mills had unusual transmission arrangments for 6 sets of stones but the latter were not all in one place. Four other mills retained a substantial amont of machinery but incomplete. One mill, converted in the early 20th century, retained its electricity generating and water pumping machinery.