Water power old and new
Three Mills
A tangle of waterways which has powered mills for over 900 years.
An eighteenth century tide mill
Today there are only two mills and not three. The House Mill at Three Mills is the largest tidal mill left standing in Britain. The mill, with its four large water wheels, was built in 1776. Opposite is the Clock Mill which dates from 1817.
At first the mills ground wheat for local bakeries. From 1734 they began to grind corn for local gin distilleries.
A modern water turbine
There is a footbridge across Prescott channel just where it joins the Channelsea River. By the bridge is part of the Bow Back Rivers Energy Trail. The water flow turns a turbine which charges a battery. At night the battery lights a streetlight by the bridge. Unfortunately this demonstration is often vandalised.
The Gas holders across the Channelsea River are part of Bromley by Bow Gas works and are grade II listed structures.
Submitted by: Andrew Hunt, 18 January 2007
