Coombe Gill Mill

Overview

Coombe Gill Mill, or the old Borrowdale water mill as it is sometimes known, is a Grade II listed building in Borrowdale in the Lake District. Built in the early 18th century, it was originally a water-powered cornmill and is now a picturesque structure on the Coombe Gill river that flows into the river Derwent.

It is built in a simple Cumbrian style from rubble stone with a pitched slate roof and has a corn drying kiln attached as well as a water wheel.

It’s an excellent spot for photographers due to its fairy tale-like aesthetic, or as a point of interest on a walk in the Combe Gill valley. The mill was also the subject of a painting by English landscape artist John Constable.

Coombe Gill Mill in Cumbria is sometimes referred to as the secret mill because of its remote location. Arguably, the mill looks its best in autumn as the colours of the season add to its beauty.

Can you go inside Coombe Gill Mill?

No, you cannot go inside Coombe Gill Mill. It is located on private property, so it can’t be accessed, but it can be admired from the outside.

History of Coombe Gill Mill

Although the building that stands on the site of Coombe Gill Mill now was constructed in the early 1700s, it is thought that the origins of the structure might date back further and perhaps all the way back to medieval times.

In the 18th century, the building was a corn mill with a corn drying kiln and a house. The kiln is still there today. Later, the mill changed function to become a saw mill, providing timber for the quarry at Honister. This closed in the early 1900s before being used as a bracken store in the mid 20th century.

In the 1940s, the mill was converted into a bunkhouse with three small bedrooms and a bathroom.

Over the years, the mill has undergone many repairs and refurbishments. The water wheel was removed in 1939 before being returned to its original position in the 1950s.

Coombe Gill Mill was given Grade II listed status on the National Heritage List for England 2022. It is subject to regulations that will protect the unique character of the building.

Packhorse Bridge

Next to the mill is Packhorse Bridge, a bridge used to cross the river and access the mill. It’s a humpback bridge made from local slate and is wide enough for a single horse.

Tenants would bring their corn to Coombe Gill Mill to be ground into flour using horses, so the bridge was built to be simple but strong. Like the mill, it is thought to date back to the 18th century, or even earlier.

Coombe Gill Mill and John Constable

Over the years, the Lake District has provided inspiration for countless artists and writers thanks to the stunning natural beauty of the area. Coombe Gill Mill itself has been the subject of many artworks and photographs.

The renowned artist John Constable featured the mill in a pencil and watercolour in 1806. He visited the mill during one of his three tours to the Lake District, where he wanted to broaden his collection of picturesque landscapes. The painting is now in an art gallery in California.

Other artists to have captured the mill include local artists William Green of Ambleside and James Burrell Smith. These historic artworks have helped give historians a representation of what the mill has looked like historically.

Walks featuring Coombe Gill Mill

The area around the mill is home to some of the most stunning scenery in the Lake District National Park. There are many walking routes around this area that take in the mill. The walks are of varying lengths and difficulties, with a route available to suit most, whether you’re a Sunday stroller or an avid hiker.

These walks include:

Borrowdale Mill and Gill (1.25 miles/2 kilometres)
Bessyboot and Rosthwaite Fell (6.5 miles/10.5 kilometres)
Combe Gill circular (8.3 miles/13.3 kilometres)

How to get to Coombe Gill Mill from YHA Borrowdale

Coombe Gill Mill can only be accessed on foot and, unfortunately, is therefore not accessible to all.

On foot: The mill is located between Rosthwaite and Seatoller. It’s around a 20-minute walk from YHA Borrowdale to Coombe Gill Mill.

By car: The nearest car park to the mill is the National Trust Seatoller car park, around a five-minute drive from YHA Borrowdale. From here, it’s a short walk to the mill down the road and then over a field.

The car park is a pay and display car park and is free for National Trust members.

Public transport: You can catch a direct bus from YHA Borrowdale to the National Trust Seatoller car park. Catch the 78 Borrowdale Bus from Stonethwaite Road end (about a six-minute walk from YHA Borrowdale) and alight at the National Trust car park.