About
Stainsby Mill is a, fully working, water powered flour mill built on the River Doe Lee near Chesterfield. It was constructed between 1849 and 1850. However there has been a mill on this site since the 13th century.
The mill is currently owned by the National Trust who restored it in 1991. It is part of the Hardwick Hall estate and is about half a mile from the Elizabethan mansion. It is powered by a 17 foot diameter metal waterwheel of breast wheel design.
When it is running the wooden geared wheels used for transferring power from the mill wheel to the grinding stones make an impressive sight and it is possible to get very close to the action. Within the mill building there is also a drying floor, where grain was dried before grinding. A kiln was used to produce hot air which rose up through cracks in the floor to heat sand which in turn dried the grain.
After seeing (and hearing) the mill doing its job visitors can buy fresh flour from the shop. Guided tours can be requested on site, or arranged ahead of time by contacting Hardwick Hall.
Know Before You Go
If travelling from either the north or south on the M1 use junction 29.
Take the A6125 towards Clay Cross, then 1st left and left again and under the M1. Then follow brown tourist signs.
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Published
November 3, 2016
