Exploring the wider estate and watermill at Acorn Bank

Many of the birds that have bred in the summer vacate the woods and head for their African wintering grounds, to be replaced by winter thrushes such as redwing and fieldfare.

Siskins and redpolls gather up in flocks on the alders down near the mill, and the first flights of pinkfooted geese and whooper swans can be seen over the property heading for nearby fields.

This is the best season to see the shy roe deer, particularly in the early morning, and as the leaves fall from the trees the red squirrels become easier to see.

The circular walk from Acorn Bank to Temple Sowerby is colourful during autumn - you'll discover pieces of Acorn Bank's industrial heritage, as well as beautiful views.

Tucked away between the trees and the Crowdundle Beck, the watermill is only a short walk from the garden. There has been a watermill at Acorn Bank for hundreds of years. The first mention is made in 1323 when the estate passed to the Knights Hospitaller, however the present building dates from the early 19th century.

You can see it working and chat to the millers about restoration work from April to October on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays, 11am–3pm. On Tuesdays during the school holidays, you'll find light refreshments bering served at the Mill.

Although primarily a corn mill, the mill was also used to provide power to the gypsum mines which were on the estate.

The mill stopped working in the 1940s and gradually fell into a state of ruin. Its restoration began in the late 1980s when the woodland walks were also opened, allowing visitors greater access to the estate.

The mill building was partially restored with the help of work experience teams and has been open to the public since 1995.

Since 2007 the mill has undergone further transformation with the help of a dedicated team of volunteers who have restored its machinery to working order. Flour was ground for the first time in more than 70 years in September 2011. The volunteer team’s achievement was recognised when they won the Marsh Heritage Volunteering Award in 2012. These volunteers stepped up to the plate again in early 2021, when, owing to COVID-19, it was feared the mill may have to close due to scaled-back operations at Acorn Bank.

The team formed the Acorn Bank Watermill Trust, and the mill continues to produce flour. Follow their endeavours on the Acorn Bank Watermill Trust website  and at facebook.com/acornbankwatermill.

If you're interested in volunteering, email the team directly at david.robertson@acornbankwatermill.org.uk