1760
Stone tower mill built
The stone tower mill, originally known as Weare Mill, was built in 1760.
Site overview
Stone Allerton mill, also known originally as Weare Mill, was a stone tower corn mill at Stone Allerton in Weare parish. It was built in 1760 and worked until the end of the nineteenth century. The tower was raised on a circular mound about 5 feet 6 inches high and 33 feet in diameter, increasing the working height of the sails and keeping people and animals clear of them.
The tower and nearby miller's cottage were incorporated into a new dwelling built in 1910-11. A French Burr stone of 4 feet 6 inches diameter was reused as a front doorstep. The former mill is recorded as house-converted and survives as part of the domestic property known as Stone Allerton Mill or Fallowdene.
The consulted material records the converted tower and dwelling rather than surviving milling machinery.
Map
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No site photograph is currently available. Images will be added as field visits are carried out.
History
Stone Allerton mill was a stone tower mill in Weare parish and was originally known as Weare Mill. It was built in 1760 and worked until the end of the nineteenth century. The tower was comparable in size and structure to Ashton Mill, but was raised on a circular mound about 5 feet 6 inches high and 33 feet in diameter.
This raised platform increased the effective height of the tower and allowed the sails to be set or furled from the platform, while also helping to keep people and animals away from the moving sails when the mill was working. The mill functioned as a corn mill. After milling ended, the tower and the nearby miller's cottage were incorporated into a new dwelling built in 1910-11.
A 4 feet 6 inches diameter French Burr millstone was reused as a front doorstep, providing a visible remnant of the milling equipment. Later records identify the site as Stone Allerton Mill, Weare, and describe it as a house-converted former tower mill. A listed building at the site, Fallowdene, was first listed at Grade II on 29 January 1985, though the official listed description is for the villa rather than a detailed mill description.
The surviving windmill evidence is therefore the adapted tower and associated domestic fabric.
Timeline
1760–1899
Corn milling period
The tower mill worked until the end of the nineteenth century.
1890–1899
Milling ended
The mill ceased working by the end of the nineteenth century.
1910–1911
Converted into dwelling
The tower and nearby miller's cottage were incorporated into a new dwelling built in 1910-11.
1985
Fallowdene listed
Fallowdene at Stone Allerton was first listed at Grade II.
Sources and records
Windmill World entry: Stone Allerton, Weare
Mills Archive database entry: Stone Allerton Mill, Weare
Bristol Industrial Archaeology Society Journal Vol. 6: Windmills of Somerset
Historic England list entry: Fallowdene, Stone Allerton
Mills Archive database entry: Stone Allerton Mill, Weare
Bristol Industrial Archaeology Society Journal Vol. 6: Windmills of Somerset
Historic England list entry: Fallowdene, Stone Allerton