Hinton Watermill

The mill you see today was constructed between 18800-04 by William Smith (1769-1839) a canal engineer (builder of the Somerset coal canal) and geologist (author of the first geological map of Britain in 1815).

The mill was built inside an existing barn built in 1780. Smith employed coal miners from Paulton to dig a 1,000 ft underground tunnel through shale to bring water to and from the mill (under two roads and the farmhouse). Within the barn, he installed three sets of mill stones, driven by a 20x6 ft breast shot waterwheel that also drove the newly invented threshing machine and winowing machine. In 1893, the wheel was replaced with an Armfield turbine, which produced 21 hp and cost £147.5.0. It is still in working order.

Next to the mill is an Ancient Monument a moated manor site also a shrunken medieval village.

Timings & Tours

Friday 06 September:

1000-1700

Monday 09 September:

1000-1700

Wednesday 11 September:

1300-1700

Thursday 12 September:

1300-1700

Friday 13 September:

1300-1700

Saturday 14 September:

1000-1700

Sunday 15 September:

1000-1700

Location & directions

Hinton Farm, Hinton, Mudford, Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 8BA

Contact on day:

Stephen Bartlett

Telephone number:

+447974125785

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

uneven floors ladder type stairs

Additional information

Farm shop, antique shop and reclamation yard on site. Please note that Mon and Tue 9 and 10 closed special appointment only for organised groups.

Max no of people per tour:

10

Est. tour duration:

1 hour(s)

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