Restoration work

All historic buildings require restorative care and attention every 25-30 years. This is to avoid their entering a state of decline.

From 2016-2019, the charity raised almost £1 million to support the ‘heritage project’ at Eskdale Mill. The various structures within the mill complex such as the cottage, working mill and around the grounds have been sensitively repaired. Specialists have restored many of the buildings and  all of the machinery to an excellent standard. This includes the lower waterwheel and wheat milling equipment which had not worked since 1930. We think this has been a tremendous achievement.

The stable/hayloft, bakehouse, cart shed and cottage all received updated roofs and lime-mortaring.

Within the cart shed, we have developed a new office and accessible toilet area.

Within the hayloft, we have created a volunteer welfare space.

The cottage has been brought into the 21st Century and received new electrical, heating and plumbing systems as well as updated decor and improved cosiness for the Mill Manager to reside in.

For the news and images from the building works restoration phase, please see the Building conservation works – June 2018 progress report and Building Conservation Progress Report – December 2018

For the news and images from the Mill machinery restoration phase, please see the Stuart Hobbs report July 2019 and Mill Machinery Progress Report – December 2018

The mill’s ongoing Management & Maintenance Plan ensures appropriate attention is paid to all aspects of the mills’ buildings, machinery, grounds and artefacts. Each year, a full machinery inspection is carried out to identify any issues followed up by any required repairs. This goes alongside a busy maintenance programme essentially during the closed winter period.

During the restoration phase, volunteers worked hard to support the work of the charity, including researching the mill’s history, recording its historic artefacts, restoring the grounds and gardens and maintaining the hydro-electric waterwheel. Now since the restoration phase, there are various volunteer roles aimed at providing support to the Mill Manager by delivering our visitor and educational services, maintaining the mill complex and the grounds and managing the hydro-electric systems.

If you are interested in volunteering at the mill, please email volunteers@eskdalemill.co.uk or contact Kate Hughes on 01946723335 or on manager@eskdalemill.co.uk to find out how to get involved.

There is still lots more work to do to reach our potential and we look forward to continuing to develop the small complex in order to maximise educational and events opportunities for a range of community groups.

In doing this, we aim to support local nature, retain the mill’s unique heritage, provide interesting workdays for a range of volunteers and achieve business sustainabilty.

Below are some before and after photos of the ‘heritage project’ from 2018-2019.