TOWN MILL LYME REGIS NOW GRINDS ON

The only volunteer operated water powered powered flour mill in the UK.  Is now open after its giant waterwheel was recently rebuilt.

Town Mill at Lyme Regis in Dorset where the iron and wood wheel had run its course.  And was in danger of falling apart and leaking after dozens of years of use.

One of the many ‘dusty millers’ the voluteers that keep the grind stones turning and act as tour guides.

In order to get the mill back grinding grain again a group of engineering volunteers conceived of a plan.  To over a 3 week period in January 2019 they would bring the 13 foot diameter waterwheel back to life in the 700 year old building .

Carpenters, mechanics all mucked into the project.  Often fortified by coffee and cakes made by the cafe next to the mill!

Volunteers Keeps The Mill Grinding On

With the waterwheel working properly again its highly sort after flour are back on the shelves to be sold to residents and tourists visiting the artisan complex. Which are all based around the mill itself.

Long hours in the wet and cold but all worth it for the Town Mill Lyme Regis.

Although, Lyme Regis has and extensive beach and popular harbour plus the world famous Cobb just a short walk away.    However, this delightful area of small shops, a cafe, art gallery, pottery, a micro brewery are starting to provide a key visitor attraction for the town.

Rattling and shaking all part of the Town Mill Lyme Regis.

The Rhythm Of The Town Mill In Lyme

With the sound of the water cascading over the wheel and the thundering of the grind stones rotating the whole building gently shakes to a fascinating rhythm.

Which is probably enough to help draw in visitors exploring the lanes of Lyme.  Certainly if they had they not been previously aware of the Town Mill itself.  As a perfect cooler place to visit away from the busy beach. The splashing of water and the grinding noises plus the charming sheltered location offers a break from the beach and a great retreat from the rain too.

With a harbour and beach but there is much more to Lyme Regis than just those a short walk away.

Tours of the mill are operated by the hands-on volunteers on a regular basis.  If you miss a tour time you can join a group half way around and then cover the remainder you missed with the next group.

Just some of the voluteers that keep the stones and the waterwheel turning at the Town Mill Lyme Regis.

The end product is prized by local bakers and the odd celebrity chefs too.  With one of their products winning a  special taste award. All the grain used in the mill is organic and some comes from just a few miles along the Jurassic coast.

The finished product all organic and ready for tasty cakes and bread.

Three types of grain are ground in the mill.  They are, wheat, rye and spelt.

Dusty Miller Sign Here

The different millers even sign each bag so you can tell which one ground your flour batch!

Filming of Persuasion on The Cobb the grinding process would be the same as that period drama was set in Lyme Regis.

The mill will open again for visitors after Covid19.  And run through to the beginning of December. Generally, as long as they have enough volunteers the opening times and tours are from 11am to 4pm every day.

With an old building constantly requiring maintenance a donation of £3 per person will all help keep the mill grinding on into the future.

https://www.townmill.org.uk/