Combe Mill, the original sawmill and workshop of the Blenheim Palace Estate, has a rich social and industrial heritage. Standing on the site of an early 17th century flour mill owned by the fourth Duke of Marlborough George Spencer, the building – which now stands close to the River Evenlode – was built in 1852. Originally powered by a waterwheel, the Mill entered the steam age when in 1886 a beam engine and Cornish boiler were installed which facilitated the Mill to continue working when the river’s flow was low.
In 1934, the original wooden waterwheel was replaced with a metal wheel and the shaft by the present timber one. Apart from the time the Mill was commandeered by the War Office during WWI to make props and duckboards to use in the battlefield trenches, the waterwheel was Combe Mill’s main source of power for about 40 years. When in the 1950s electricity was brought to the Mill, the waterwheel became less important. No longer in use by the mid-1960s, the leat was filled in and the sluices buried. However, thanks to the County Museum in Woodstock and discussions with the Duke of Marlborough, a restoration project was undertaken in 1972 to restore the beam engine and boiler. The Mill reopened to the public in 1975 under the management of the Combe Mill Society (run entirely by unpaid volunteers), who over the years have undertaken further restoration works to other parts of the Mill. This included a major restoration project in 2012 with the installation of a tearoom and lift, making the site fully accessible for wheelchairs and buggies.
In 2022 Combe Mill received an Engineering Heritage Award in recognition of the work that has been done to save engineering history.
Today, this Grade II listed Mill is a working industrial museum which offers visitors a wonderful insight into what work was like in the Victorian times on a rural estate. There are a number of collections on display which include various small steam engines, an interesting collection of working historic turret clocks, a replica of a Clerk of Work’s office and a pattern makers’ workshop.
Every third Sunday of the month from March through to October, Combe Mill organise an ‘In Steam’ themed event. Exhibitors are invited to bring an exhibit along which is relevant to the specific theme. This provides visitors to the Mill with the opportunity of seeing collections of most unusual industrial items that were part of the rich history of the county over the decades. The ‘In Steam’ events for 2023 are:
March: STEM event will provide interactive displays engaging children to learn about Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and how they apply to the working of the Mill and a SPRING MARKET.
April: Collection of Military Vehicles plus model exhibits and POP-UP MARKET.
May: Collection of invited Barn Engines and Horticultural Tractors and MINI MARKET.
June: Collection of anything on wheels: Tractors, Motorcycles, Models, Miniature Steam, Special invite to a Car club (10 cars) and POP-UP MARKET.
July: Wildlife Invited Exhibitors: Owls, Wildlife Trust, other Wildlife features and MINI MARKET.
August: Models and Collections. Invited Modelers bring models they have made (of anything) to include Miniature Steam and POP-UP MARKET.
Sept: Invited Crafters to demonstrate to the Public their Skills. Special attraction is the White Horse Classic Car Club and MINI MARKET.
Oct: Wood craft with invited exhibitors demonstrating wood working crafts and how it was done in years gone by plus an AUTUMN MARKET.
Each event will host a BBQ and the Mill’s Tea Room and Gift Shop will also be open. There will be a fundraising Tombola held too.
Combe Mill is open every Wednesday from 10.30 to 16.30 from April until October. Admission is £5.00 for adults, £4.00 for concessions (children under 16 are free).
The Steaming Events run from 10.30 to 1700 on the designated Sunday. Admission is £9.00 for adults, £7.50 for Seniors, Children under 16 are free. Combe Mill can be found by taking the A4095 Witney to Woodstock road, turning north for Combe from Long Hanborough. After crossing the river, you will find the Mill turning on the left before the railway bridge.
To find out more please visit: combemill.co.uk
