Site of 16th centry watermill, west side of Church Street (EHER 6986)

Site of a watermill and mill pond shown to exist on a 16th century survey. Other ponds in the vicinity are probable fishponds.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Site of watermill. <1> June 1950. Field visit. A 16th century survey of the Manor of Belchamp St. Paul shows the manor house water-mill at the north-east corner of the large mill-pond. There are no surface indications of the exact site of the mill although there is little doubt that the site shown on the 6" Field Sheet is correct as this would bring the site on the north bank of the narrow ditch (old mill-race) which cuts through the centre of the east bank of the mill-pond and connects up with the old mill-stream which runs down the hill on the west side of the road. A. Mill-pond, consisting of a large rectangular pond, now much overgrown, with retaining banks on the west, north, and east sides. This pond is shown in connection with the manor-house water-mill on the 16th century survey of the Manor. Feature correct as shown on 6" Field Sheet, and on Rec 6". B. These three small ponds are not shown on the 16th century survey of the Manor. RCHM suggest that they may be fishponds. The two western ponds have narrow ditches connecting them with the large mill-pond on the north. Condition of ponds; fairly good, correct as shown on 6" Field Sheet and on 6" Rec. Sheet. <2> <3> Ponds known locally as "Monks Fish Ponds". <4> Humps and bumps in paddock north of Paul's Hall farmhouse and north west of the parish church may be the site of earlier buildings. Site Assessment = 'The land has been paddock for approx. 50 years minimum. No present threat.' <5> See also: <6> <7>