Honiton History: The Old Mill

The Old Mill in Mill Street has unfortunately become a sorry site. For centuries it was a frequented and respected local hub that worked daily to supply the local area with flour.

Today it is a sad shadow of its former self and, with smashed windows, flaking paintwork and boarded up doors, could be forgiven for being viewed as no more than a derelict local eye sore.

Also known as 'Town Mill', as it is so described on the blue plaque attached to it crumbling walls, this is one of only handful of local buildings able to boast such a note of historic significance; so how did it ever end up in its current state?

The mill is known to have existed from at least the late 18th century when it was known as 'Thomas' Mill' and was once owned by both Sir George Younge and The Manor of Honiton.

When John Channon took possession of the building in 1782, it became known as 'Channon's Mill'.

In the early 20th century it was run by the Knowles family when it was not only home to one of Honiton's fallen WWI heroes but also to former two times mayor of Honiton, town alderman and local JP; Job Knowles.

It was a working mill until 1968 when a flood destroyed the leat that supplied water to it.

The mill was fed by a stream diverted from the Gissage near the old rifle range. The water supply, only a four foot wide channel, after leaving the mill went through the old Honiton Brewery into the iron foundry before re-joining the Gissage's main course.

The channel today no longer exists "as all the ground it flowed through is now built on." "The unusual gearing for the wheel, still existing, is made from iron and applewood" and the wheel itself was made by Mickleburghs in 1898.

In its hay day this section of 'King Street', and hence the town, technically ended at the mill and the old mill garden once stood at what is now the summit of the steep hill leading up to 'Millhead Road'.

The building was saved from demolition in 1981 when it was partially restored however in about 1984 it fell under the ownership of a woman from Wembley who after renting it out for several years seemingly abandoned the building and all interest in it.

Fearing for its future the town council successfully petitioned to get the, by then derelict structure, listed in 2012 - yet it has remained uninhabited ever since.

After many years of work the district council managed to secure the forced sale of the mill by auction in April 2020 when the hammer dropped at £90,000.

Whilst the mill probably will remain in name only many of the road in the immediate vicinity pay homage to the building's past.