Odd Corners of Old London - Part 1 Three Mills

The Three Mills are former working tidal mills on the River Lea in the east end of London.  The Domesday Book recording all the assets in England in 1086 says that there were 8 or 9 mills on this site.  The area has been known as Three Mills since it was acquired by a monastery in the 12th or 13th century.  Over the years, the mills have been used for grinding wheat for bread, barley for beer, and gunpowder, and to distill gin.

This is the first glimpse of Clock Mill as you approach Three Mills from the direction of the nearest tube station, Bromley-by-Bow.  The original Clock Mill was built in the time of Henry VIII, but it was rebuilt between 1815 and 1817 incorporating an older clock and bell.

This is the other side of Clock Mill once you have crossed the River Lea and the Limehouse Cut canal.

The House Mill, on the right hand side of this photo, was built in 1776 and is Grade 1 listed.  The Miller's House in the centre was bombed in the second world war and rebuilt within its old facade on the front and this new facade on the back.  Today it has a cafe and occasional exhibitions.  The building on the left is the Clock Mill again.

Further to the left, beyond the photo, is Three Mills Studio, which occupies a 20 acre site and makes major TV programmes and films.

The mill pond in the right foreground used to be tidal, and the tides provided the power for the mills. As a result of the 2012 Olympics site construction (the Olympics site is only 10 minutes walk away), there is now a lock above the pond and it is no longer tidal.

Today there are canal boats parked along the river just above the lock.  Canary Wharf can be glimpsed in the background over the roof of House Mill.