The site was originally named Carey's Mill, which had been used in the production of snuff,[3] and the adjoining bridge is called Carey's Mill Bridge which was built of Ham stone in the 18th century.

[6] Carey's mill was unoccupied in 1853 but by 1857 had been bought by the West of England Engineering and Coker Canvas Company, who built the mill which included a foundry,[1] with a prominent chimney,[2] a large workshop,[7][8] and several smaller workshops and cottages.

[9][10][11][12] They produced horizontal, high pressure and condensing engines for mining companies traction engines, threshing machines, water wheels, corn mills, flax and spinning machinery, power looms and iron and wooden wheels.

Some buildings were taken over by G H Smith, makers of rope and twine in a ropewalk,[13][14] workshops and chimneywere still operating in 1941.

[15] In 1974 the premises were held by the West of England Warehouses and also used by the Somervale Foods and Somerset Joinery.