Veryan, near Truro, TR2 5PX
Tel: (01872) 501049
Web: www.melinseymill.co.uk
One of very few working water wheels
Tucked away in one of Cornwall's hidden valleys on The Roseland Peninsula you will discover Melinsey Mill. This local family business is run from a restored 16th century watermill.
Melinsey is a one off, a wonderfully Cornish mixture of eccentricity and charm. It is one of only half dozen left out of approximately 700 mills in Cornwall. According to county records there has been a mill on the site since 1210. The mill as it stands today has been on site since 1565.
The 16 foot cast iron water wheel dated 1882, came from a Truro foundry. Melinsey is a Grist Mill, which means it would have produced fodder for livestock. Originally the mill had two sets of stones enabling it to produce granary flour as well. The stone grinding the flour would have come from Brittany, which was the closest and easiest route for transport to Cornwall.
The stones at the mill now are grist stones and would have been made from local granite. The wheel and gearing were once made from oak, elm and apple-wood. In 1882 they were replaced by cast iron.
The last time the mill produced fodder was in 1928. After this date it began to fall into disrepair. In the early 1980's Melinsey Mill was purchased by Dr Frank Clynick who began to restore the mill along with Rick Hancock. Good fortune and hard grind has kept this historic building intact and kept its wheel turning.
Melinsey Mill opened to the public in 1996 and is now owned by Rick and Jackie Hancock.
In and around the Mill you will find a selection of craft work made by the owners. Specialising in Willow and Wood creating, Baskets, Furniture, Sculptures and many other woodland crafts. Work by other local artists adorn the Mill amongst a treasure-trove of historical artefacts.
Teas, cakes and cream teas are available all day in our cafe, accompanied by a wide choice of hot and cold drinks. We have a drinks license and sell cider, beer and wine.
One mile west of Veryan just off the A3078.
Opening TimesApril to end October Admission Free |
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