Lake District’s Last Water Mill Approved for Crucial Repairs

The Lake District’s last working water-powered mill has received listed building consent for essential repairs. The Grade II*-listed Eskdale Corn Mill contains fabric from at least the early 16th century. The consent covers what the trust described as crucial repairs.

Planned works

Work concentrates on the bakehouse at the building’s southern end. A fixed window will be replaced with a bottom-hung inward-opening hopper window.

The new window design copies the hayloft hopper. It will create cross-ventilation to reduce humidity and mould.

Major structural work will replace a rotten oak beam at the roof apex. The existing beam is rotted at both ends and has caused tiles to sink.

Tile movement led to collapse and fracturing of lime mortar and flashing. Those elements tie the roof to the main mill building.

The replacement oak beam will match the original dimensions. It will be set back from the west wall and sealed with stone and lime mortar.

Eskdale granite found on site will be used in the repairs. This is intended to prevent water penetration through the wall.

Oak lintels above the bakehouse window and door are in poor condition. They will be replaced with new oak beams to stabilise the stonework.

History and ownership

Eskdale Corn Mill worked commercially as a corn mill until the 1930s. Cumberland County Council bought it in 1971.

Ownership passed to Cumbria County Council in 1974. The council carried out repairs and opened the site to the public in 1976.

In 2006 the Eskdale Mill and Heritage Trust took ownership. The trust is a registered charity that keeps the mill working.

Refurbishment turned the site into a visitor attraction. Since July 2019 roughly 28,000 people have visited.

Support and assessments

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings welcomed the proposals. SPAB praised applicants for aiming to bring the bakehouse into good repair.

A 2016 archaeological building survey underlined the mill’s high value. It noted the site as a rare surviving working mill in the Lake District.

The survey recommended conservation and said some structural work was necessary. A structural appraisal from January 2022 also advised restoration.

Approval and next steps

Listed building consent was granted by the Lake District National Park Authority on April 7. Mr Steve Hemm of the Eskdale Mill and Heritage Trust is the applicant leading the works.

The approved programme aims to secure the fabric and use of this last water-powered mill. Work scheduling and fundraising details will follow.

Filmogaz.com will follow developments and report further updates as the restoration progresses.