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Summary

18th century watermill much rebuilt in 19th century with two internal waterwheels that formerly each drove two pairs of stones. Probably on site of medieval monastic mill. Mill ceased working in 1960s but was restored in the 1970s. One set of machinery now turns again, grinding flour. Outbuildings converted to craft workshops, bakery and tearoom.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II*) 1334034: OTTERTON MILL INCLUDING MILL LEAT AND SLUICES TO NORTH

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SY08NE/36
• Old Listed Building Ref (II*)
• Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division: SY08NE16

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• WATERMILL (Unknown date)

Full description

Greenhow, D. + Wailes, R., Otterton Mill (Leaflet). SDV339731.

History of mill and survey of mill machinery.

Unknown, Untitled Source (Un-published). SDV339730.

Clipping from Western Morning News, 11th August 1977 entitled 'Water wheel turns again to boost revival of rural arts and crafts'. Otterton Mill recently opened to the public. One of the 2 waterwheel now working again, grinding corn. Other details: Photograph.

Oliver, G., 1846, Monasticon Diocesis Exoniensis, 248-149 (Monograph). SDV57424.

The Manor of Otterton was purchased from Henry VIII by Richard Duke who built a house on the Otter which drove the mills under his house.

Department of Environment, 1949, St Thomas RD, 91 (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV339051.

19th century building on old site. Formerly 4 pairs of stones.

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1954, SY08NE16 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV339715.

Site visit 14th July 1953. The present mill stands on the site of the mill belonging to the monastery. No confirmatory remains were seen.

Devon County Council, 1974, Survey of Watermills in Devon: Gazetteer (Report - Survey). SDV83967.

Phillips, M. C. + Wilson, R. E., 1974 - 1977, Water Mills in East Devon, 305-306 (Article in Serial). SDV42946.

Three mills at Otterton are mentioned in the Domesday Survey, but only one of these is likely to have been in the actual village. They belonged to the Abbot of St. Michael of the Mount, Normandy. The mill was associated with Otterton Priory and was run by the monks. The present building is of stone and slate housing 2 undershot wheels. One millstone is inscribed with its date, 1869. There is evidence of fulling in its history, but chiefly it had been a grist mill. Milling ceased for some time in 1962 and at the time of writing the building was being used as a depot.

Greenhow, D., 1978, Restoring Otterton Mill (Article in Serial). SDV339733.

Article on restoration of Otterton Mill in later 1977. Mill machinery surveyed by R. Wailes. Waterwheel restored by Mr Pook of Tiverton. Craft workshops created in outbuildings. The next phase is to harness the mill machinery and grind flour again.

Greenhow, D., 1979, More Water by the Mill. The Restoration, Machinery and History of Otterton Mill, Devon, 309-25 (Article in Serial). SDV339719.

A mill on this site has existed since Saxon times, probably one of the 3 mills recorded in Domesday. Granted by William the Conqueror to the Abbey of Mont St. Michel the mill remained in French hands until the 15th century when it was granted to Syon Abbey. Sold at the dissolution to a family named Duke and again in 1785 to the Rolle family. A mill house was built in the mid 18th century of cob and the last rebuilding took place in 1854. Restoration of the mill and its machinery are described.

Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, 1982, Mills Index (Un-published). SDV12998.

Mill is working.

Bodman, M., 1998, Water-Powered Sites in Devon, 21.9 (Report - non-specific). SDV305931.

Bodman, M., 2003, Watermills and Other Water-Powered Sites in Devon, 172-174 (Report - Interim). SDV325576.

Otterton Mills is described in 1811 as having 2 waterwheels with 4 pairs of stones. The mill is on the same site as the medieval manor mill and was restored in 1977. Building of two storeys of local brown stone. One wheel is in working order and the mill stones are in situ.

Exeter Archaeology, 2003-2004, East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Archaeological Survey, Site No. 2020 (Archive - Survey). SDV351568.

Otterton Mill. Present mill built 19th century Listed Grade II*. Recorded as Otterton Mills and Yard on Tithe Map/Tithe Apportionment with Mill Meadow to south; owner William Stone/occupier John Uglow (Tithe Apportionment Nos 1231/1232). Leat shown on modern map. 3 mills mentioned in Otterton in Domesday. Possibly on site of medieval mill associated with Otterton Priory. Chiefly grist mill but some fulling. Walls of walled garden mostly 17th century date with possible reused earlier features. Listed Grade II.
SMR; Otterton Tithe Map/Tithe Apportionment 1844/1843.

National Monuments Record, 2010, 448537 (National Monuments Record Database). SDV339732.

An 18th century water-powered corn mill, rebuilt in 1854 and restored in 1977 as a museum. It was built on the site of a monastic mill, the surrounding earthwork remains may be medieval. Other details: SY08NE16. Record last updated: N/A.

Ordnance Survey, 2024, Mastermap 2024 (Cartographic). SDV365834.

Mill shown with the leat running under the building.

Historic England, 2024, National Heritage List for England, 1334034 (National Heritage List for England). SDV365835.

Otterton Mill including mill leat and sluices to north. Working corn mill and museum. Present mill is C18, much rebuilt in the mid C19, but is on the site of a monastic mill which is probably one of the 3 around here mentioned in the Domesday survey. Largish roughly-dressed blocks of brown-coloured local conglomerate sandstone with red brick relieving arches over the windows; slate roof. Corn mill built over a leat containing 2 breast shot waterwheels and milling machinery in a block facing on to the road to the north-north-east (say north). An outshot to right rear now contains a bakery but once housed some machinery belt- driven from the machinery in the main block. Most of the mill appears to be mid C19 but sections of the rear wall are more rubbley and are probably C18 or earlier. Main block is 2 storeys with lofts.
See listing description for full details.
Date first listed: 11th November 1952

Wailes, R., Unknown, Otterton Mill: A Survey by Rex Wailes (Leaflet). SDV358770.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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