Netherwitton Mill

Photo Source:Image taken by Eric Thompson in the 1960s.northumberland.usmkgenealogy

Photo © Copyright licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Netherwittone Mill is a historic building in Northumberland, England, that was converted into residential housing in 1988.

Location: The mill stands next to the River Font in the village of Netherwitton, approximately eight miles north-west of Morpeth, Northumberland. The postcode for properties at the mill is NE61 4NU.

Standing  next to the River Font, First a cotton mill, then a woollen mill, then saw mill.

 

History and Use: It was originally built in 1787 as a cotton mill. It was later converted for woollen production and finally used as a sawmill before falling into a derelict state. The conversion into multiple housing units in 1988 preserved the structure.

The cotton mill was established by Walter Trevelyan and others, planned for the spinning and weaving of cotton and the production of plain cotton cloths such as calicos and muslins; it came into full production during 1787. The mill was built alongside the Netherwitton Manor Corn Mill and was powered by water from the river Font, a new dam, head race, and tail race, being deemed necessary, as the cotton mill would require a much greater supply of water than the small water-corn mill adjacent. But a crisis of confidence had descended upon the cotton industry by 1788, and the cotton mill boom was soon over. Although the Netherwitton factory was up and running by then, it only survived for a few more years. The exact date of its closure is unknown, but it was around 1795. Seemingly, the mill stood idle for a number of years before being re-opened as a woollen mill for flannel, blankets, and yarns, by Messrs Dixon, Walker, & Co. of Morpeth in 1823. 

1830 it may have been Joseph Lawton & Sons, Flannel, Baize Blanket & Stocking Yarn Manufacturers.

Neither is it known how long this enterprise lasted, but in 1930 the mill building was converted to an estate saw mill. This sawmill was moved into a new shed in 1972, and the mill building was then used for minimal storage.

 

Current Status: The mill is now a private residential complex. The surrounding area is part of the historic Netherwitton Estate, which features a Grade I listed hall and offers holiday cottages for visitors.

The Mill was converted to domestic accommodation in 1989 after lying derelict for a number of years.

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