The mill is on an island in the River Gade,[1] which forms part of the Grand Union Canal.

[5] The world's first mechanised paper machine was installed at Frogmore Mill in 1803 funded by Sealy and Henry Fourdrinier and engineered by Bryan Donkin, based upon a design by Nicolas-Louis Robert.

[2] In 1851, the chemical production of paper from wood (now known as soda pulp), used in newspapers, began at the mill.

[5][8] In 1890, the British Paper Company was founded and took over operations at the mill; it fully purchased the premises in 1929.

[10] The mill is run by The Apsley Paper Trail, a charitable organisation, and operated as a visitor, education and community use centre.