Manor Mill – Branscombe

In the heart of Branscombe is Manor Mill.

Standing since the 19th century, the National Trust has kept the Mill in full working order for everyone to enjoy.

Nestled into the valley, the Mill draws water from the nearby leat to turn its huge wheel. Visitors can try their hand at turning cogs on a miniature quern, and learn all about life as a miller.

The Mill was used up until just before the Second World War. It’s likely that Manor Mill would have once provided the flour for the whole village, but it fell into disrepair after the war.

Many of its mechanics and workings were left in place, and the National Trust carefully restored many of the parts during the 1990s.

More recently, this year, the Trust has undertaken a project to conserve the working order of the waterwheel and the internal mechanisms of the Mill.

A team of specialist Millwrights removed and replaced the launder (a wooden trough that directs water over the top of the waterwheel) and the wooden shaft which runs through the centre of the waterwheel, supporting its weight and connecting the wheel to the primary drive (the pit wheel and cast-iron gear).

Because of this restoration, the mill has been returned to full working order once more.