Eskdale Mill Restoration and Interpretation

Eskdale Corn Mill in Boot is an important, Grade II* Listed Building; the last operating, water-powered mill in the Lake District National Park; that was badly in need of repair and restoration. We worked with Eskdale Mill & Heritage Trust (EMHT) to develop and detail a £1million project to restore the mill and to establish new ways of working to enable the Trust to employ a Mill Manager and attract more visitors.
We prepared the successful Round One Heritage Grant application in 2015, then submitted a successful tender, at the invitation of EMHT, for the next stage of work as project organisers for development of the project and, potentially, the delivery phase of the project.
We procured the services of other specialist contractors – a conservation architect-led team and an audience development consultant. We have overseen their work and advised EMHT on progress and issues arising. The Trust is a small organisation run by voluntary trustees; and they have relied on our project management.
We submitted successful funding bids to HLF, Fells & Dales LEADER, Copeland Community Fund, Pilgrim Trust and Dulverton Trust. We prepared a project plan, timetable and budget, cash flow forecast for five years, a Management & Maintenance Plan, Mill Manager Role Profile and briefs for work in the delivery phase.

Practical works on the restoration of the mill buildings and machinery began in August 2018 and were completed in May 2019. We organised the recruitment of a Mill Manager – the first time that EMHT has employed anyone directly. She started work in May 2019 and the mill was officially re-opened to the public in July.

The page header shows a cross-section sketch of the historic mill. Click on the related images for a slide show of the buildings, the water wheels and internal machinery, the community consultation process, guided tours and educational visits.

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