Houghton Mill

The abbey's tenants were under an obligation to have their wheat ground in the mill and part of the flour was withheld as payment by the miller.

When in 1500 the Abbot diverted the river water in order to supply the mill with sufficient power, the neighbouring village was flooded.

The villagers rose up in protest, and fifteen years later they were granted permission to change the course of the water in case of an emergency.

The best-known miller was the nonconformist Potto Brown (1797–1871), a wealthy man who was so pious that he carried his ledgers to family prayer meetings in order to discuss with his Maker debts owed him.

[2] In 2013 a new set of electric-powered millstones were installed which allows the mill to operate at times when the river levels are not suitable.