The Water Mill is one of the four unique homes which make Bradbourne Mill. The Mill is the oldest surviving water mill in Derbyshire.
An Okeover Charter confirms the site dates back to circa 1180 and the land owner at this time was Sir Geoffrey de Cauceis - the great grandson to Henry de Ferrers.
Later, Sir Robert de Bradbourne rented the mill in 1247 to three canons of Dunstable Priory who built a Manor House and Grange buildings in Bradbourne near to All Saints Church. The canons would mill their grain into flour and employed many farm hands and tradesmen from the locality to help them. They were gifted, in 1205, the church, four chapels, and the parish lands in Bradbourne, Tissington, Baildon, Brassington, Atlow. They further received a tithe in Lea Hall and Aldwark.
In a charter of circa 1260 there was a baker who lived opposite the mill in the early medieval village of Lee, the first Knights of Bradbourne resided in Lea Hall before relocating to Hogh Park in Hulland by 1250.
The Mill boasts a number of fascinating stories that highlight what life was like as a Miller, Tennant and Owner, most of which guests will find on the walls of the Mill to enjoy!
