Building record MDO47332 - Lower Burton Mill, Charminster

A late-18th century corn mill complex comprising a former water-powered mill, millhouse, bakehouse, stables and cartshed. In the 19th and 20th centuries there were alterations and additions to the buildings. There has been watermill on this site near Charminster since at least the early 16th century. The buildings are constructed of a mix of random stone rubble and brick. The roofs are thatched with some stone roofs slates. The mill complex has an irregular plan consisting of a long, single-depth range formed by the former water-powered mill, the attached miller’s house and bakehouse to the north-east, and former stables to the south-west. At right angles is an adjoining former cart shed, while to the front (east) of the mill, over the tailrace, is a shallow-arched bridge of brick and stone. These buildings were assessed for listing in 2012, but failed to meet the required criteria.

Lower Burton Mill is situated to the north of Dorchester, alongside the old Dorchester to Sherborne (via Cerne Abbas) road that became part of the Weymouth, Melcombe Regis and Dorchester Trust turnpike in the mid-18th century.

There has been watermill on this site near Charminster since at least the early 16th century, but the existing mill dates from the late 18th century. There are 16th and 17th century references to a corn mill at Hewish. In 1345, it is recorded that there were two mills at Burton. Documentary sources indicate that there was a fulling mill at Lower Burton which was held by the Benedictine Abbey at Cerne Abbas until it was sold by the Crown to Sir Thomas Trenchard of nearby Wolveton Hall following the dissolution in 1539.

A mill is depicted at Lower Burton on a map of 1765, although due to the scale of the map it is not possible to say with certainty whether it illustrates the current buildings. Archive material states that in the 1780s the site comprised a mill, millhouse, bakehouse and offices. The mill is also shown the 1839 Charminster Tithe Map, a footprint that is similar to the one shown on the first edition Ordnance survey map of 1885.

Lower Burton Mill continued to operate until the mid-20th century; it was described as derelict in 1961 but was understood to retain much of its machinery. Photographic evidence indicates that the millhouse underwent extensive alteration between 1949 and 1964 with the lowering of the roof and the subsequent loss of the former first and attic floors. The building was used subsequently as a store. At about the same time alterations were also carried out to the mill, including changes to the windows and the roof covering was re-clad with tile leaving only stone slates to the eaves courses to the front of the building; the windows to the stables were also changed. It is also understood that the south-eastern third of the principal range, that is the bakehouse and part of the millhouse, suffered a fire during this period and underwent re-building. By 1979 the buildings had undergone restoration and the mill, millhouse and former bakehouse were converted to a dwelling; some of the original openings have since been re-instated and some of the roofs have been thatched.

MATERIALS: the buildings are constructed of a mix of random stone rubble and brick; the dressings are also mostly brick. The roofs are thatched, though all appear to previously been clad in slate or tile; the mill building has a slate roof with stone slates to the lower courses of the east elevation. The chimneystacks are brick.

PLAN: the mill complex has an irregular plan consisting of a long, single-depth range formed by the former water-powered mill, the attached miller’s house and bakehouse to the north-east, and former stables to the south-west. At right angles is an adjoining former cart shed, while to the front (east) of the mill, over the tailrace, is a shallow-arched bridge of brick and stone. The mill was fed from the River Cerne, augmented with water from the River Frome; the leat approaches from the north-west.

EXTERIOR: from left to right, the front (east) elevation of the STABLE block is built of local stone rubble with a thatched roof that is hipped roof at its south end. It is of two bays with a wide entrance with a 20th century door to the left-hand end and a casement window set within a segmental-headed brick surround to the right. Above the doorway is an inserted 20th century window that has replaced a taking-in door. The MILL is a two and a half storey building with a brick front and lintels of rubbed bricks to the openings. The entrance has a plank and batten door with a late-20th century multi-paned window to the left. At first floor, above the entrance is a former taking-in door, to the right is a late-20th century casement and a tall single-light window which has replaced an earlier casement. The front elevation of the former MILLHOUSE is built of brick on a stone plinth. Late-19th century and mid-20th century photographs indicate that it was originally a building of two storeys with attics; it was reduced in height in the second half of the 20th century. A scar in the north gable wall of the attached mill indicates the original height of the millhouse. During this alteration the openings to the front of the building were also changed. The east elevation was originally a symmetrical composition with a central doorway, flanked by casement windows, with two first-floor windows and a pair of hipped dormer windows. The two ground-floor window openings remain, but have been reduced in size and there is evidence for a blocked opening adjacent to the left-hand window. The central doorway has been replaced by a window. Blockings in the brickwork at eaves level mark the position of the former first floor windows and there is an eyebrow dormer to the attic level. The BAKEHOUSE is of two bays with a blocked entrance to bay one and a casement window to bay two; both are set within brick surrounds. Several courses of brick in the apex of the north gable wall indicate that there have been alterations to the roof. There is a casement window with segmental head to both the ground and first floors.

To the rear (west), the bakehouse has a low, single-storey outshut, while the millhouse is obscured by a late-20th century flat-roofed addition; each has an eyebrow dormer to the roof. The rear elevation of the mill is of stone rubble with brick quoins and brick surrounds to all but one of the openings. The ground floor has two casement windows with a doorway to the right leading into the wheelpit. There are two casements to the first floor, although the right-hand one is a later insertion; and a further window at eaves level. The attached stable building to the south has had its roof raised, as evinced by a change in the upper courses of masonry. There is a single metal-framed window to this side. The south return of the stables has a brick addition with lunette openings in its south wall, probably dating to the late 19th century or early 20th century, and a late-20th century greenhouse. There is a casement window in the gable. At right angles to the principal range of mill buildings is a former CARTSHED. There are no openings to its south elevation and its north side which was originally open-sided has been infilled and has a wide doorway and metal-framed windows.

INTERIOR: the principal entrance leads into the ground (or former meal) floor of the MILL which retains its Hurst frame, vertical gearing and exposed ceiling joists. A late-20th century staircase at the east end of the hallway leads to the first floor which was originally accessed from a ladder staircase at the rear of the mill. To the right of the hall is the wheel-pit, although the waterwheel itself has been removed. The first floor has been sub-divided into bedrooms and a bathroom. At first floor there are exposed ceiling joists and beams, several chutes or hatches, all of 19th century date, and a millstone set into the floor, but no surviving historic machinery and much of the joinery is late 20th century. The attic floor is a large open space that formerly contained a series of timber grain bins; these have been removed. The roof comprises principal rafters which have been strengthened with tie beams and angled struts, and there are two rows of purlins. The former MILLHOUSE is accessed from the entrance hall within the mill. It is principally open plan and has a mezzanine accessed from a modern staircase. Most of the external, west wall has been removed to link through to the 20th century rear addition. The roof timbers are mid- to late 20th century. The ground floor of the former BAKEHOUSE retains a mid- to late-19th century oven and stoking hole, set within brickwork. The attic above has exposed purlins supported on timber brackets at either end of the room. The ground floor of the STABLES is currently used for storage; it retains a corner hay manger and its ceiling has been raised. The first floor is now a bedroom, has a pegged principal rafter and two rows of purlins. The adjacent CARTSHED has a roof consisting of tie-beamed trusses with staggered purlins and include some replacement timbers.

SUBSIDIARY FEATURE: to the front (east) of the mill, over the tailrace, is a double-arched bridge of brick and stone, and to the rear are the remains of a former sluice gate.

Lower Burton Mill, probably dating from the late 18th / early 19th century, with 19th and 20th century alterations and additions is not designated for the following principal reasons:

Architectural Interest: although it has some visual appeal, overall the architectural treatment of the building is utilitarian in its materials and construction;

Intactness: it has undergone significant internal refurbishment including removal of original machinery and plant, the insertion of staircases, and partition walls to the first floor. As such the plan form and industrial character of the interior of the complex has been affected;

Alteration: the buildings have undergone significant levels of alteration as a consequence of their conversion to residential use, including the replacement of windows and doors, which have affected their character and appearance. (1)

<1> Historic England, UDS Non-Designation case report, Non-list case number 1410146, assessed in 2012 (Scheduling record). SDO18398.

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1588438 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Nov 8 2023 1:43PM