Caudwell's Mill

There has been a mill on the site of Caudwell''s Mill at Rowsley for centuries, but the present building was constructed in 1874, by John Cauldwell. The mill was built for flour milling and continued in this as a family business until 1978, when it closed down. The mill is now owned and operated by Caudwells''s Mill Trust Ltd and still mills flour '- the last in the area to do so.

The mill is an excellent example of a working 19th century mill, with water turbines powering the machinery. On the ground floor are roller mills (which replaced millstones here in 1885), and bagging equipment, plus a small shop at which samples of flour may be purchased. On the floors above are storage bins for the wheat, purifiers to separate out bran and sifters for grading the flour. Everything is in working order and the tour takes in all areas of the mill.

In the outbuildings of the mill there is a small craft centre, including an artist''s studio, and workshops for glass'-blowing, ceramics and woodturning. There is an excellent (and cheap) coffee shop with good vegetarian food.