![Bourne Mill (c) Ashley Dace](/images/attractions/editor3/Bourne-Mill-cc-Ashley-Dace.jpg)
The building served as an Elizabethan banqueting hall, then was converted for use in the fulling of cloth in the 17th century, and still later, for use as a watermill for grinding flour. The waterwheel still functions, and visitors can view the original milling machinery.
The mill sits by a tranquil mill pond, with a leat running through a narrow passage to feed the mill wheel. It is worth examining the walls of the building, which incorporate Roman bricks and chunks of local flint.
This photo shows how many time periods are represented in the mill structure. Thrown together side by side are Roman bricks, local limestone blocks, and chunks of flint. Its a real hotch-potch of materials and historical eras.
Opening times for the mill are quite limited - usually only one or two afternoons per week in summer. (check the National Trust website link for current times).
![The main mill entrance](/images/attractions/editor/Bourne-Mill-entrance-cc-Ashley-Dace.jpg)
![The leat channel](/images/attractions/editor/Bourne-Mill-leat-cc-Ashley-Dace.jpg)
![The pit wheel and wallower](/images/attractions/editor/Bourne-Mill-pit-wheel-cc-Ashley-Dace.jpg)
![Entrance to the pit wheel basement area](/images/attractions/editor/Bourne-Mill-pit-wheel-entry-cc-Ashley-Dace.jpg)
![The pit wheel in operation](/images/attractions/editor/Bourne-Mill-pit-wheel-wallower-cc-Ashley-Dace.jpg)
All images are (c) Ashley Dace, republished with gratitude under a Creative Commons license