More information : (ST 68716700) Brass Works (NAT). (1)
Old brass mill, Saltford, a complex building on an island site
between the River Avon and the mill lade to the west. It is the
only surviving brass mill building in the Keynsham area, the
last of an industry which began in 1706.
The Saltford mill probably dates from the early 19th century
and worked until 1924. The mill comprises three parallel ranges running east-west without gable walls towards the river. An undershot wheel with metal blades and some related machinery survives in an open arched recess facing south.
On the north side is the former annealing furnace, believed now to be unique but once typical of the local industry, and its tall square stack.
This important industrial monument is to be restored (1980) and eventually become a small museum of the Avon valley industry. (2-6)
Grade II (7)
The mill buildings are not in use and the initial stages of disrepair are evident with slipped roof tiles etc. The buildings fall within a property used for boat moorings and repairs with the nameboard "The Old Brass Mills". (8)
Additional reference (9)
A battery mill was established at Saltford in the 1720s, where a new design of annealing furnace was developed by the Bristol brass industry. Its importance in the history of European non-ferrous metallurgy was recognised in 1964, and in 1979 the Avon Industrial Building Trust was set up to manage the site and carry out conservation work on other buildings. Preliminary excavations prior to proposed development revealed an early anvil base and battery remains. (10)
Additional references (11-12)
Saltford Brass Mill is a Scheduled Monument. The mill was founded 1721, closed 1925. The remains are remarkably complete. (13)
Additional reference. (14)
Details of blast furnaces. (15)
Additional references: overviews of this important site (16-17).
Recorded by NRIM. The battery mills closed in 1908 and were the last working mills of this type in England. (180
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