Discover more at Shalford Mill
Find out when Shalford Mill is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Things to see and do at Shalford Mill
Shalford Mill sits on the Tillingbourne stream and is as much a part of the medieval village as the old church and pub over the road. With its well-preserved machinery and lingering scents of grain and tallow, the mill remains an evocative reminder of working village life.
The Ferguson Gang
Discover the story of this enigmatic group at the exhibition in the mill. These well-educated, eccentric young women were true conservationists, whose aim was to raise awareness of the need to protect rural areas.
After forming in 1927, they raised huge sums to protect and preserve important buildings and land that could otherwise have been destroyed – Shalford Mill was their first donation to the National Trust. They also held their meetings sitting around the millstone on the first floor.
The pitwheel
The huge pitwheel measures 9ft across and was made in Guildford, probably in the 1830s. It sent the power from the waterwheel upwards through the mill and was a vital piece of equipment in the days when the mill was working practically non-stop.
Drive shafts
The line shafting in the mill, although now missing its leather belts, transferred the energy from the waterwheel around each floor, powering the free-standing machines that were all part of the milling process.
The oat crusher
When demand for flour from small local mills declined, millers had to look for new ways of making money. This oat crusher is possibly evidence of this later diversification of the milling industry.
Graffiti at the mill
Look out for the authentic graffiti dating from 1935, which adds some extra atmosphere to the mill.
Group visits
Shalford Mill is a welcoming place to visit, but we're limited to a maximum of 10 people at any one time. To book a tour, call 01483 561389. There's no toilet or tea-room on site, but there is a lovely pub across the road called The Seahorse.
The virtual tour
For those of you not keen to climb up three floors of ladders, we have a virtual tour presented on a laptop on the ground floor. Our knowledgeable guides will supply the detail and you'll see what it all looks like from ground level.
The mill is currently closed following government guidelines
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