The Town Mill
The courtyard
Escape the bustle of Lyme and step back in time to explore the Town Mill. Nestling around this cobbled courtyard, its restored mill buildings house a working watermill, art galleries, garden, café and supper club, craft studios and shops.
The working watermill
Join a tour of the restored mill with its Victorian milling machinery and watch the giant waterwheel turn as it is driven by water from the River Lym. A miller will demonstrate how the huge gears harness this power to drive the heavy grindstone. Watch the whole process over three floors as corn is converted into finely ground wholemeal flour. Displays chart the history of Lyme’s Town Mill, the history of milling in general, how the Town Mill was saved from redevelopment and the mill’s lifeblood, the River Lym.
As part of the tour you will also be able to see how water from the Lym is helping with the environment by generating electricity through the Town Mill’s state of the art hydro-generating installation, and also browse the fascinating exhibition on the history of electricity in Lyme Regis.
The Town Mill galleries
The galleries are on two floors and host regularly changing exhibitions of work in all media from local and South West artists. Feel free to browse around these exhibitions where you may feel inspired by, or want to buy, some of the work.
Brief history
The first clear evidence of a town mill in Lyme dates from 1340 when King Edward lll granted the burghers of Lyme a licence to build a new watermill on the present site. Earlier, in 1086, William the Conqueror’s Domesday Book records a mill in Lyme so it is likely that the site dates back over a thousand years.
In 1644, during the Civil War, the Town Mill was severely damaged and subsequently rebuilt with much of the present stone structure dating from this time.
The mill operated through to 1926 when new milling technology made it uncompetitive. By the 1970s the buildings were derelict and in 1991 the district council announced plans to redevelop the site. Concerned locals then launched a rescue campaign and the subsequent ten year restoration project resulted in the fully working watermill and art galleries, craft studios and restaurant you can visit today.
Other facilities
School and group visits: these are welcomed and bookings should be made through the manager who will make arrangements for your visit.
Community Meeting Room: this room, seating up to 35, is available for meetings, classes and other functions.
5 Day art Courses: during the summer months a series of 5 day art courses are run on behalf of the Town Mill.
Visiting information
How to find us: the Town Mill is tucked away in the centre of Lyme Regis and only accessible on foot. It is just 100m from the sea front, between Broad St and Coombe St.
Fees: there is a small charge for the Mill Tours but entry to the rest of the Town Mill is free of charge.
Opening times:
Watermill and Gift Shop
Easter to October:
11:00 to 16:00 – Closed on Mondays
(Also open on Bank Holiday Mondays)
November to Easter:
11:00 to 16:00 Saturdays and Sundays only
(And weekdays during school holidays)
Art Galleries
11:00 to 16:00 – Closed on Mondays
(Also open on Bank Holiday Mondays)
The Town Mill is owned and operated by a charitable trust and relies almost totally on its large band of volunteers. New volunteers are always welcome.
Visit our website or contact the manager for more information.
The Town Mill
Mill Lane, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3PU
Tel: 01297 443579
e-mail:
The Town Mill Trust – Registered Charity Number 1041614
