Description:A postcard view of the derelict water mill, a red brick building on a 17th century stone base by the River Meese in Forton.
This former hemp mill is thought to stand on the site of a Saxon mill, mentioned in the Domesday Book. It retains its open hearth and chimney stack and stone entrance doorway. The waterwheel was an undershot type which along with its machinery was dismantled in the 18th century. The sluices and culverts survive along with the iron sluice gate handle inside the mill building.
In the background on the left can be seen Thomas Telford’s Canal Aqueduct Bridge which was built in 1833. This Scheduled Ancient Monument combines a road bridge, aqueduct and canal bridge, which carries the road from Forton into Meretown and formerly carried the Newport branch of the Shropshire Union Canal.
Photographer: Harry Osbourne of Woodseaves.