Watermill
17th century Watermill
Work began on the £1.6m project to restore the 17th centry watermill and outbuildings in January 2009. The official opening took place in april of 2010 with the great great grandson of the last Mrs Portman of Hestercombe House, Viscount de Vesci, cutting the ribbon in April 2010.
This dramatic phase in the restoration of the estate provides an invaluable hand-on educational experience showing visitors how a historic property was renovated and restored demonstrating historic and modern energies working side-by-side.
Restored Energy Sources
A collection of energy sources dating from Victorian and Edwardian times are showcased in the Dynamo House and Mill Room. The water wheel itself is an over-shot wheel having been restored by leading mill wright, Martin Watts. The energy generated is used for demonstrations in the adjacent Mill Room to crush apples, grind corn and cut timber - activities that have all been prominent on the Estate over the centuries.
Hydro power from the water wheel is also powering the restored 1895 turbine that originally generated electricity for the Hestercombe Estate. The electricity was stored in glass batteries, many of which were unearthed during the development work.
The Dynamo House is to contain an acetylene plant which produced acetylene gas for the early gas lamps used in the House and a thermalume generator which produced gas from petrol and air - also to fuel the gas lamps. Taking pride of place in the centre of the Dynamo House is a huge, ornate Gas Holder, one of only two left in the country, used to store the gas.
As well as opening up exciting education opportunities, the new development also provides a stylish new venue for conferences, wedding and other big events.
Work is continuing with the landscaping the surrounding area and completing interpretation inside the Mill Room and Dynamo House.
Look out for Mill Demonstration Days which will be listed in our Events Diary for 2011.
