Beetham - Heron Corn Mill and Museum of Papermaking

Waterhouse Mills, Beetham, Milnthorpe, LA7 7AR.
Tel 01539 565027
Email : info@heronmill.org

Location : Beetham
Map - Ordnance Survey - SD 496799

Photo by Matthew Emmott

Heron Corn Mill is on the banks of the River Bela, in South Cumbria close to the Lancashire border, and is one of the few working mills left in Cumbria. Evidence shows that a mill existed on the site prior to 1096. In 1220 the Lord of the Manor gave the monks of St. Marie's York the right to grind their grain at his mill.

The mill passed through many hands until in 1927 it came to W & J Pye, millers of Lancaster. In 1955, they closed the mill, and for the next two decades the mill was unused. In 1973, Henry Cooke Ltd leased the mill to the newly formed Beetham Trust to rescue the mill. In 1975 Princess Alexandra opened the refurbished mill, which shows to the public the mechanics of a water driven corn mill.

A 14 foot high breast shot water wheel is used to supply the power to turn four pairs of grinding stones. Surrounding the stones is the 'tun', a wooden case which collects the meal coming out of the edge of the stones, from where it is bagged or sorted into different grades. Various other machines can be seen, all driven from the water wheel via belts, shafts and other methods.

There is an exhibition devoted to the history of baking. Exhibits show the processes of converting meal into an edible form. A reonstruction of a Neolithic kitchen shows how early man made his primitive bread. The development of ovens and essential baking tools is also explained.

In 1988 to commemorate the 500 years of paper making in England, the barn on the site was refurbished to house the Museum of Papermaking. Papermaking is an important local industry established over 200 years ago on the opposite site of the River.

The museum shows the process of making paper, both modern and historical, by means of wall displays. It shows the sources of the raw material and the species of trees used in the production of pulp. Occasionally there are demonstrations of the hand making of paper.

See www.heronmill.org, and Heversham Community website for more information.