The history of Nether Alderley Mill

Find out more about the life of a mill that provided a village with bread for generations from the 14th century onwards.

Traditional skills

From the 1500s until 1939, the mill was worked by a series of millers who lived in the village with their families.

Sadly, after wheat became more expensive and technology moved on, milling at Nether Alderley Mill became increasingly difficult to continue profitably until, in the 1930s, it stopped altogether. In 1950, the mill was given to National Trust by Major JA Shelmerdine.

Keeping it in the family

There have been several millers over the centuries, and sometimes the mill passed down from father to son. The mill was part of the community of Nether Alderley, which was cared for by the powerful Stanley family.

The machinery

The grain is milled by machinery which is over a hundred years old. The miller had to constantly check on the machinery to ensure the quality of the flour was top .