Cogglesford Watermill

Cogglesford Mill (sometimes referred to as Coggesford) is a Grade II listed working watermill in Sleaford, Lincolnshire. It is possibly the last working Sheriff's Mill in England. The mill sits to the north of Sleaford on banks of River Slea. There is archaeological evidence of a Saxon mill on the site and records in the Domesday book of later mills; the present redbrick structure dates to the late 18th century, with alterations from the 19th Century.

The ford from which the mill takes its name is where the Roman road now called Mareham Lane crossed the Slea. The original crossing, no longer existing, is a few hundred yards downstream of the mill, close to the current footbridge.

There were many other mills along the river at various times. During the construction of the Sleaford Navigation, in the 1790s, locks were provided at each of the mills to maintain the necessary head. After the navigation closed and as the locks fell into disrepair they were replaced by weirs, and the weir at Cogglesford is particularly elaborate, having to maintain the head of this still working mill.

Cogglesford mill (including the mill race and bridge) was assigned a listed status on 20 July 1973.

Flour has been produced in Sleaford for 1,000 years and the current watermill, dating to the 18th century, is still in action.

Learn about the history of the watermill and how the mill works – getting up close and personal – and you can even take some flour away with you to bake at home.

There are milling days through the year and seasonal events meaning there are lots of good opportunities to pay a visit to Cogglesford.

Next door to the watermill you can enjoy something to eat or drink at the restaurant and coffee shop set inside the former house of the millers at Cogglesford. The quaint rooms provide a cosy atmosphere in a unique and historic cottage.

Go to the Cogglesford Watermill website for more...