Patterson's Spade Mill

See history literally forged in steel at the last working water-driven spade mill in daily use in the British Isles, which was built in 1832.

Discover the art of blacksmithing with classes at Patterson's Spade Mill. Whether you're looking for a new hobby, or a day out with a difference, Blacksmithing classes at Patterson's Spade Mill are an unforgettable experience. For more information visit our things to see and do pages.

Available to order, our experienced team can make you your very own Patterson Spade. We also take commissions for bespoke items forged here at the mill. Whether you need a companion set, a coat rack or even something unusual, our blacksmiths will put metal to flame and work their magic. For more information visit our things to see and do pages.

The water turbine was brought back into operation by engineer Roy McMeekin in 1994, and it powers some thirty other machines through a system of belts and drives, which between them facilitate the many complex stages of hand-made spades.

The mill pond is reached up a steep narrow path behind the finishing sheds and consists of a channel some 100m long by 3-4m wide, terminating at a small sluice, controlling the flow of water. Before mains electricity was installed, the site was powered exclusively by water. This was abstracted from the Ballymartin River at a point some half a mile upstream of the mill; a rubble-stone weir diverted part of the flow into the headrace which crosses under the main road just east of a lay-by.

Red hot billets of steel are removed from the forge and fashioned into spades using the mills massive trip hammer.