Take a tour of Nether Alderley Mill

See how flour is made

Visit to see the restored heritage machinery in action and appreciate the expertise and hard work required by Nether Alderley’s millers over the centuries.

Learn how grain is dried in the kiln before it is hoisted to the top floor of the mill. Watch how the miller controls the water speed to power the heritage machinery. Listen to the waterwheels turn, powering the huge millstones which grind the flour.

Highlights

• Graffiti: The names of previous millers and workers adorn the stone walls of the mill, including a 'tall dark handsome stranger'.
• Millstone: The millstones at Nether Alderley Mill weigh over a ton and are French burr stones of metaquartzite, which are particularly adept at removing bran from flour.
• Millpond: Originally the mill was powered by a small stream but as demand grew, a dam was built to create the millpond. The pond lies behind the mill and has acted as the main power source since the 1500s.
• Waterwheels: The current waterwheels date from the 20th century, but water had powered the mill throughout its entire existence. In the 1880s, steam power was used until coal became too expensive.
• The kiln: Take one of our hard hats and have a look inside the kiln where the grain was dried and quality controlled before it was milled into flour.