Daniels Mill
May 27, 2012 * * * * * Posted by:
Cherry 
Daniels mill is a watermill hidden within the Shropshire countryside. The mill still produces flour in the traditional way. I first visited a couple of years ago and I was quite dismayed after setting out on my travels to realise that I had left my camera at home. Most unlike me… I did manage to capture a few photos on my camera phone, but it was nice to go back recently with a real camera in hand.
The water mill is virtually unaltered since the 18th century and has been in the ownership of the same family for over 250 years. The current mill wheel was installed around the middle of the 19th century to replace an earlier wheel on the same site.
Disastrous floods in 2007 caused major devastation to the mill and the surrounding area, but luckily the mill building was not structurally damaged. It is amazing to see the mark within the building that shows how far the flood water rose.
The earliest reference to the Mill and land surrounding it appears around the late 15th century, when it was known as ‘Donynges’ or ‘Dunnings’ Mill. It remained in the hands of the estate until the 18th century, and in the early centuries was probably worked by a Journeyman Miller, who would visit the mill when there was work for it to do.
More history can be found here.
A quote from the official website:
The present mill worked until 1957 grinding all kinds of grain for animal feed, but ceased operation on the death of the Miller, the present owner's Father. A great deal of work has been required to restore both the Mill and the house to its present condition. Great care has been taken with this work (which has been undertaken solely by the owners) to ensure that as much of the original has been preserved and any replacements required have been obtained from demolitions of old properties.
It is a lovely place to visit not only do you get a guided tour that explains the history and how the mill works. There is also opportunity to walk around the mill pools and through the surrounding woodlands which allow views of the mill from different perspectives.
There is also the opportunity to walk under the viaduct (part of the severn valley railway) and view it from both sides along with trains travelling along the viaduct. The walk also allows you to see the track and the steam trains at eye level. The train drivers often blow the trains whistle and wave to visitors as the train passes by. The flour that the mill produces can be purchased raw or in the form of scones in the tea shop. I found both my visits interesting on many levels.








