Location : Little Salkeld
Map - Ordnance Survey - NY 567360
Little Salkeld, Penrith, CA10 1NN. Tel 01768 881523
Little Salkeld Watermill is Cumbria's only fully operational watermill producing stoneground organic flours by water power. It is a traditional 18th century corn mill, using the power of water to produce a range of all purpose breadmaking and baking flours, as well as a specialist range for people who want to try something different.
The mill was built in 1745 - a modest affair - taking grain from local farmers to be milled. When the Carlisle Settle Railway was built, which passes through Little Salkeld, there was a big increase in trade and the mill prospered.
When Britain began importing Canadian wheat, it became economic to build the mills at the ports, and Carrs Flour built a huge mill at Silloth on the West Coast of Cumbria, and the mill declined. Much of the machinery was ripped out during the war and turned into guns. Today though, people are turning back to traditional methods and realising that stonegrinding with waterpower using grain produced without chemicals is good for the earth and good for the consumer.
Deputy miller Richard Morris adjusting the machinery.
Judy Morris (left)with a mill visitor discussing the benefits of organic flour.
There are trips round the mill, where you can see the two overshot waterwheels, wooden and cast iron gearing and flour being milled using French burr millstones. There are also baking and cooking courses, a mill shop selling the products of the mill, and a tea-room serving coffee, wholefood lunches, afternoon tea with Watermill breads, scones, cakes, biscuits, tarts, pies, and quiches.
Above 3 photos by Simon Ledingham.
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