A Grade II listed building, West Mill is one of the many mills that made up the town industries. However, I made a mistake when I wrote the article on my now defunct website; I said that it was part of the main rope making industry, but I've since found out that it was a Brewery Mill.
However, I'll keep the little potted history of Bridport's rope making industry on this blog post for interest's sake...
Bridport has long been associated with rope making. Its extensive history includes ropes and cables, which were decreed for his army by King John in 1213, right up to today's industry that still produces fishing, sports, specialist nets and cargo restraints. One of the former products was that of the hangman's rope and noose, which gave rise to the saying that to be hanged was to be 'stabbed with a Bridport dagger'. Most of the goal nets for football championships were made in Bridport, including those used during the 1966 World Cup, as well as the tennis nets used at Wimbledon.
Although there has been a mill here since the 15th century, this one was built in 1878. A three-storey building constructed in red brick, it looks rather attractive with its Portland stone dressings above the doors and windows and the planked wood sack hoist projected high on the west gable.
Above, outside the rear of the mill sits this delightful winch & cable windlass, which straddles the overflow runoff and controlled the sluices. Originally the mill was powered with a waterwheel, but in 1886 a turbine was installed and the wheel removed.
Amazingly enough, this retaining wall to the River Brit is also Grade II Listed. Mid 19th century, built in Hammer dressed stone with ashlar coping, it runs alongside the north side of the pavement on West Street.
The front, western entrance of the mill, below, showing the planked loading doors and sack hoist above.
Across from the main entrance of the mill is another part of the mill leat. Heavily overgrown and cordoned off by railings, but various workings can still be seen, below. The bridge is also Grade II Listed, built in the 19th century, and a wall extends alongside the leat up to the northern Mill House.
The wrought iron railings with ornamental spearhead finials are contemporay with the mill, culminating in an iron gate at the north end, below.
Below, various buildings next to the main mill building. In the listed buildings register, it is listed as West Mills, so there may have been more than one mill operating here. It also lists various outhouses to the north, which these probably are.The first one is dated as being probably 18th century and the rest circa C19, built in Hammer dressed stone with pitched roofs.
A little further up the lane, and on the opposite side, is Mill House. Also a Grade II Listed Building, dated 19th century. It wasn't until I just looked closer at the photo below that a building on the left in the middle distance also has a sack hoist housing on the gable. It also looks very similar to West Mill, but lower and smaller.
The Mill House refers to the right hand building however, with reference to a stucco front and a pitched roof with overhanging eaves at the gable ends, which this one has. I don't know if the additional red brick wings were part of the original building or if they were added later. The Listed Building entry also mentions a wooden porch, a pointed arch and trefoil ornament cut into spandrels. It might be that the frontage is on the other side and that this is the rear.
I had a walk further on and also took some photos of the river.
I came across West Mill when I took a bus journey to Bridport just to have a look around one day in 2009. Having wandered onto the main road from the bus station it really caught my eye and I spent most of my time here. It was such an interesting find and, although I knew nothing about it beforehand, I inadvertently and serendipitously took enough photos of the surroundings that fit in with the mill and are also listed buildings. Even though these buildings aren't derelict the God of Urbex was surely with me that day, lol. ;)
And a random airbrick to finish off with! :)
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