[1][2] The mill also houses a micro hydro-electric power station, using a 3.6-metre (12 ft) Archimedes' screw turbine to generate electricity for sale to the National Grid.

The advent of cheap imported flour from North America damaged the mill's prosperity, but it remained in use until just after the Second World War.

[2][5] In 2011, work started on the installation of a new Archimedes' screw turbine on the river side of the watermill in order to generate electricity.

This was built to provide power to Mapledurham House, and replaced a turbine installed in the 1920s that was no longer functional.

Access is by car down the narrow and steep lane that is Mapledurham village's only road connection, or by a boat service that runs from Thameside Promenade in Reading on all opening days.

[8][9][10] The mill building is best known, and has gained worldwide recognition, for being featured on the cover of heavy metal band Black Sabbath's self-titled debut album in 1970.

[11] The watermill is also known for its starring role in the 1976 film of The Eagle Has Landed, where the mill leat is the scene of the dramatic rescue of a local girl by a German paratrooper that results in the unmasking of Steiner and his men.

[citation needed] The mill appears as a location in several episodes of the 2017 BBC series Taboo starring Tom Hardy.