Brinkburn Priory mill and gateway (Brinkburn and Hesleyhurst)
[NZ 11749829] Brinkburn Mill (disused). (1)
'The mill race still flows between the site of the refectory and the River Coquet. About 130 yards to the east is the site of the abbey mill, and in the masonry of the cottages now erected where the mill stood is a quantity of reused medieval stonework, whilst the abutment wall seems to be entirely old.' (2)
The watermill at Brinkburn is mentioned in 1538. (3)
The lower portions of the mill are mostly of medieval work. There are also fragments of a massive retaining wall built for the monks. (4)
The intake of the mill race, which passed underground south of the frater, can be seen near the corner of the modern house; it doubtless served as the main drain. The cottages in the wood downstream mark the site of the priory mill. (5)
The SW wall of the disused mill contains stonework obviously much older than the remainder of the structure. It appears to be in situ but contains no architectural features for dating purposes.
The retaining wall of the exposed part of the mill race and part of the wall which abuts the river SE of the mill are of old and weathered masonry and appear to be original. The mill intake, immediately south of the SW corner of the house, appears to be quite modern. (6)
Condition unchanged. (7)
Compact mill building with adjacent cottage of later build. Originally a water-powered cornmill, modified for electricity generation from an iron water wheel. Located on an ancient site near the Priory buildings (NZ 19 NW 1). Iron water wheel, 10ft (3.04m) diameter and 3ft (0.91m) broad, powered three pairs of stones and ancillary gear. Leat silted up.
Documentary evidence for a mill in 1535, 1536 and 1559. A miller is documented in 1855. (8)
Mill and miller's cottage, Grade II. Probably 18th century with reused medieval masonry. Cottage added c.1830. Neo-Tudor style. Mill machinery in situ; king post roof. To the east of Brinkburn Mill are ruined outbuildings (Grade II) - former stable and barn with attached retaining wall. 18th century. (9)
In 1991/2 the mill has been converted into a holiday home by The Landmark Trust. Machinery cleared out. Archaeological condition on development. (10)
In February 1992 Peter Ryder recorded archaeological features beneath the mill floor when concrete machine bases were removed. An area 2.12m by 1.03m x 0.7m deep was opened. A series of large stones were revealed but interpretation was difficult because of the small area exposed. Much burnt stone was evident - fire destruction of previous mill? or some industrial process? Many fragments of coal seen in the soil, possibly 18th century date. (11)
The monastic mill is referred to in documents from an early date. Part of the masonry of the 19th century mill may be medieval. (12)
In May 1992 a pit was dug on the east side of the yard in front of the mill to install a septic tank. The pit exposed substantial structural remains of the threshold of a gateway. On the north side of the gateway the jamb survived to a height of two courses with mouldings down to ground level. Another wall extended west from the north jamb of the gateway.
Probably medieval, 14th/15th century date. Part of the main gateway of the Priory. (13)
Brinkburn Priory Augustinian priory, mill, gateway and post-Dissolution house. Scheduling revised on 8th July 1994, new national monument number 23233.
Also included is the priory mill, the site of which survives beneath the 19th century water mill east of the church. The upstanding remains of the later mill have been restored by the Landmark Trust, and archaeological recording has noted the existence of 14th century architecture incorporated into the structure. These features include substantial structural remains of the threshold of a gateway, representing the main entrance into the monastic precinct, together with part of a 14th or 15th century wall that may relate to a gatehouse. Also of medieval date is the substantially curving wall that extends from the wheelpit of the mill to the river and the mill race which also served as the main drain of the priory. The position of the drain, south of the cloister range, indicates that the priory kitchens would have been located here, and also the reredorter or latrine. The latter was most likely situated at the junction of the south and east cloister ranges where it would have been accessible from the canons' dorter or dormitory, located on the upper storey of the east range. (see NZ 19 NW 1 for further details). (14)
'The mill race still flows between the site of the refectory and the River Coquet. About 130 yards to the east is the site of the abbey mill, and in the masonry of the cottages now erected where the mill stood is a quantity of reused medieval stonework, whilst the abutment wall seems to be entirely old.' (2)
The watermill at Brinkburn is mentioned in 1538. (3)
The lower portions of the mill are mostly of medieval work. There are also fragments of a massive retaining wall built for the monks. (4)
The intake of the mill race, which passed underground south of the frater, can be seen near the corner of the modern house; it doubtless served as the main drain. The cottages in the wood downstream mark the site of the priory mill. (5)
The SW wall of the disused mill contains stonework obviously much older than the remainder of the structure. It appears to be in situ but contains no architectural features for dating purposes.
The retaining wall of the exposed part of the mill race and part of the wall which abuts the river SE of the mill are of old and weathered masonry and appear to be original. The mill intake, immediately south of the SW corner of the house, appears to be quite modern. (6)
Condition unchanged. (7)
Compact mill building with adjacent cottage of later build. Originally a water-powered cornmill, modified for electricity generation from an iron water wheel. Located on an ancient site near the Priory buildings (NZ 19 NW 1). Iron water wheel, 10ft (3.04m) diameter and 3ft (0.91m) broad, powered three pairs of stones and ancillary gear. Leat silted up.
Documentary evidence for a mill in 1535, 1536 and 1559. A miller is documented in 1855. (8)
Mill and miller's cottage, Grade II. Probably 18th century with reused medieval masonry. Cottage added c.1830. Neo-Tudor style. Mill machinery in situ; king post roof. To the east of Brinkburn Mill are ruined outbuildings (Grade II) - former stable and barn with attached retaining wall. 18th century. (9)
In 1991/2 the mill has been converted into a holiday home by The Landmark Trust. Machinery cleared out. Archaeological condition on development. (10)
In February 1992 Peter Ryder recorded archaeological features beneath the mill floor when concrete machine bases were removed. An area 2.12m by 1.03m x 0.7m deep was opened. A series of large stones were revealed but interpretation was difficult because of the small area exposed. Much burnt stone was evident - fire destruction of previous mill? or some industrial process? Many fragments of coal seen in the soil, possibly 18th century date. (11)
The monastic mill is referred to in documents from an early date. Part of the masonry of the 19th century mill may be medieval. (12)
In May 1992 a pit was dug on the east side of the yard in front of the mill to install a septic tank. The pit exposed substantial structural remains of the threshold of a gateway. On the north side of the gateway the jamb survived to a height of two courses with mouldings down to ground level. Another wall extended west from the north jamb of the gateway.
Probably medieval, 14th/15th century date. Part of the main gateway of the Priory. (13)
Brinkburn Priory Augustinian priory, mill, gateway and post-Dissolution house. Scheduling revised on 8th July 1994, new national monument number 23233.
Also included is the priory mill, the site of which survives beneath the 19th century water mill east of the church. The upstanding remains of the later mill have been restored by the Landmark Trust, and archaeological recording has noted the existence of 14th century architecture incorporated into the structure. These features include substantial structural remains of the threshold of a gateway, representing the main entrance into the monastic precinct, together with part of a 14th or 15th century wall that may relate to a gatehouse. Also of medieval date is the substantially curving wall that extends from the wheelpit of the mill to the river and the mill race which also served as the main drain of the priory. The position of the drain, south of the cloister range, indicates that the priory kitchens would have been located here, and also the reredorter or latrine. The latter was most likely situated at the junction of the south and east cloister ranges where it would have been accessible from the canons' dorter or dormitory, located on the upper storey of the east range. (see NZ 19 NW 1 for further details). (14)
N11328
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1957; E Geary
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1971; B H Pritchard
WATCHING BRIEF, Watching brief during the conversion of the 18th/19th century millbuildings, Brinkburn Priory Mill 1992; P RYDER
ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY, Investigation by RCHME/EH Architectural Survey ; RCHME
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1971; B H Pritchard
WATCHING BRIEF, Watching brief during the conversion of the 18th/19th century millbuildings, Brinkburn Priory Mill 1992; P RYDER
ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY, Investigation by RCHME/EH Architectural Survey ; RCHME
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