Stainsby Mill
Restored Victorian water mill on the Hardwick Estate with an iron waterwheel and milling machinery, run by the National Trust.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Stainsby Mill stands on the River Doe Lea and has supplied flour to the Hardwick estate since the late 1500s. It became part of the estate in 1593, when Bess of Hardwick bought it, and supplied flour to the Cavendish family and local people until 1952.
In 1849–50 the 6th Duke of Devonshire, William Cavendish, had the mill rebuilt so that it could make fine white flour for his guests. The mostly wooden machinery and wheel were replaced with cast and wrought iron, and a French burr stone was imported. The unusual design was meant to get as much power as possible from a limited supply of water.
The machinery stayed in use until the 1990s. The dilapidated mill was restored between 1990 and 1992, with surviving cast-iron parts cleaned and reassembled and rotted timber replaced by replicas. Visitors can see the waterwheel, the mill stones and the flow of grain through the building, and walk to the mill ponds. The mill is not currently milling.
Highlights
- Iron waterwheel of 1849–50
- Original mill stones and grain-flow machinery
- Mill ponds of the Hardwick Estate
- Guided or free-flow visit inside the mill
- Operated by
- National Trust
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £7 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | £3.50free up to age 4 · Child 5 to 17; under-5s are free. |
| Families | £17.502 adults and up to 3 children. |
| Family: 1 adult and 2 children | £10.50 |
Free entry for National Trust members. Non-members buy tickets at the mill on the day; no advance booking is needed. Prices shown are without Gift Aid; with Gift Aid they are £7.70 for adults, £3.90 for children and £19.30 for a family.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Partly accessible: the grounds have a steep slope and the first floor of the mill is reached by a ladder or steep stairs. An accessible toilet is at the Hardwick Park Centre. Only assistance dogs are allowed.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Glapwell “Young Vanish” bus stop
The nearest railway station is Chesterfield, 7 miles away. An on-demand bus service (Travel Derbyshire) serves the mill, or take a bus from Chesterfield and get off at the Glapwell “Young Vanish” stop, 1½ miles away.
By car
Free parking
Free, limited roadside parking (not National Trust).
Sat nav postcode S44 5RW; from M1 junction 29 take the A6175 towards Clay Cross. The Rowthorne Trail and the Teversal Trail pass nearby.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Visitors can explore the mill freely or join an informative tour with a mill guide. The mill is not currently producing flour. |
