Pictured: Sir Richard FitzHerbert beside the millwheels.

Sir Richard Fitzherbert, Edward Caudwell and Simon Scargill examine one of the preserved millstones, now a feature of the Norbury Mill lounge.

Derbyshire’s historic watermill restored to glory

June 2008

The wheels of Derbyshire’s oldest watermill are turning again for the first time in generations following completion of a major restoration programme.

Bradbourne Mill has been saved from dereliction thanks to a painstaking restoration project by the Amos Group.

The Grade II Listed building has been renovated and converted into two homes – Norbury Mill and Farleigh Mill. Its twin waterwheels have been restored and are turned by water from the adjoining millpond. Inside the mill, historic equipment, left untouched for decades, has been preserved as a unique feature of the interior of Norbury Mill.

Flour milling on the site can be traced back to the 15th Century with the present buildings dating from the 1750s. The mill was bought by the FitzHerbert family of Tissington Hall in the 19th Century. While the original equipment remained inside, the mill fell into dereliction around the 1930’s.

Sir Richard FitzHerbert of Tissington Hall celebrated completion of the project by opening a sluice to allow water to drive the millwheels again before adding a shower of champagne for good luck.

“I’m amazed to see the mill now it’s finished,” said Sir Richard. “Amos Group have done a very sympathetic restoration – it is really impressive and has saved something important for the nation.”

Lynn Hamilton, Amos Group Sales & Marketing Manager, commented: “Although the mill had fallen into a poor state in recent years, we could see there was real potential there, not only to save the buildings for posterity, but to create a very special place to live.”

“This has been a painstaking restoration project that has involved many challenges, not least incorporating the historic machinery and woodwork into an interior that suits modern needs. But we believe we have succeeded in creating something very special.”