Mills of the Ver

Milling played an important part in the Ver’s history and building mills was man's first real impact on the river as for each mill a diversion channel or leat was built. The water supply north of Redbourn was too unpredictable to be used for milling but the Domesday Book records two mills on the southern edge of Redbourn - Le Malt Mill and Le Corn Mill (presumably now known as the Silk Mill). Over the centuries there have been many mills along the length of the river, mainly for grinding corn but also put to such diverse uses as paper making, fulling cloth, silk spinning, sawing and diamond lapping. Now they have mostly disappeared, including those in Redbourn, but some have been restored or modified for other uses including one which has been restored as a working mill. Dolittle Mill has been demolished, but the 15th century historian Thomas Walsingham records Dolittle Mill as the site of a miracle: It seems that a child fell into the mill race and was thrown out by the wheel, apparently dead. When the child's mother prayed to Saint Alban offering money if the child's life were restored; her prayer was answered. It was converted from corn and malt to paper in 1753 then rebuilt for corn again in 1784. It finally closed in 1927 and the remains were later demolished for road improvements.

There has been a mill at Redbournbury for at least 500 years and possibly since the Doomsday book of 1087 which recorded a Beeson End Mill. Variously owned for much of its history by the Abbey of St Albans the crown and Gorhambury Estates, the mill was traditionally operated by tenant millers. The last of these was Ivy Hawkins, "the last lady miller in England", whose family had run the mill since the middle of the nineteenth century.

Redbournbury Mill - Ernie Leahy

The mill is normally open 2.00-5.30 Sundays and Bank Holidays Mid April until Early October £2.00 admission Children/ OAP's £1. Advisable to telephone 01582 792874 to check opening times.
Their web site is www.RedbournMill.co.uk
email RedbryMill@aol.com

This page is still "Work in Progress"

The next is Shafford (at the other end of the water meadows), not working but converted to a house, though obviously a mill. It is at the other end of the Water Meadows. Then Pre Mill (in Gorhambury the other side of the A5183) is a saw mill (not working and in bad repair).

Kingsbury Mill (at St Michael’s opposite the north end of the park) is turned into a mill museum in 1973 with a waffle house and gift shop. It is open 10.00-6.00 Monday-Saturday and 12.00-6.00 Sunday (£1.10 for mill).

Kingsbury Mill

The Silk Mills (in the park) have been demolished as mills but are still apparent as houses. Next comes Cotton Mill (on Cottonmill Lane) now a swimming pool used by St Albans Canoe Club. Then Sopwell Mill (the other side of Cottonmill Lane) which still has the mill wheel but in very bad repair - it is now a house and New Barnes Mill (at the bottom of Cottonmill Lane) is converted into industry, having a large extension at the back. Park Mill (in Park Street) also has been converted into industry.

The last mill, Moor Mill (Smug Oak Lane), is now a public house and conference centre, but it still has a water wheel and other workings to be seen inside. Although it has had extensive alterations after falling into disrepair for some years. It is open for meals and drinks at normal hours.

Moor Mill