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Virtual Field Trips

Dell Quay to Fishbourne

8. Pond & Mills

The mills were once a very important part of daily life as everybody needed flour for baking. There have probably been mills here for over a thousand years. There were also windmills here at one time.

Fishourne pond and Mill house

Fishbourne Mill

Beside the pond at Fishbourne is Mill House, which was once a water mill used for grinding wheat into flour. A stream was dammed to make the pond and fill it with enough water to turn the wheel. The sluice gate that controlled the flow of the water is still there. During the Second World War when the mill was no longer used to grind corn, the building was used as a macaroni factory. Afterwards it was converted into flats.

To find out more about the mills, click here ***to follow

Hungry ducks

Ducks

The pond is now home to many friendly, hungry ducks!

Miller's House

The thatched cottage was once the home of the miller

Remains of the Tidal Mill

Tidal Mill

There was also a tidal mill out on the mud flats. A low bank was built around it. When the tide came in the pond behind the bank filled with water. At low tide the water was let out gradually to turn the wheel. It could operate for 8 to 10 hours a day and was very reliable.