A Visit to House Mill, Three Mills Island

The last time I had been into the House Mill – apart maybe for a tea in the cafe there – was back in 2014, when I led an EFOG walk from Stratford to Trinity Buoy Wharf, by the Thames. (here)

This return visit was arranged by Eleanor, who works at the Mill as a voluntary guide. So, on a relatively sunny and relatively warm Sunday 17th June we met Eleanor by the House Mill, in the complex known as Three Mills at Bromley-by-Bow. Including Eleanor, there were nine EFOG members (Eleanor, Fred, Ken, Lynne, Marilyn, Maz, Paul, Peter, Trevor), only two of whom had been on the previous visit:

House Mill (left) and Clock Mill (right)Eleanor began by taking us to an open area between the Lee Navigation and an arm of the River Lea, from where we had a view of Three Mills two remaining mills – House Mill and Clock Mill. It is somewhat uncertain exactly where the third mill was situated, but at one time there would probably been a lot of mills dotted about. Not too far away, indeed, is Pudding Mill Lane, where it is known that a windmill stood – which looked like a pudding…

House Mill and Clock Mill, however, are not windmills but are tide mills. That is to say, they harness the power of the river tides to turn water-wheels to provide power to do all the heavy jobs a mill is designed for. Both mills have been used in the production of gin for London’s prolific gin-drinking times in the 18th and 19th centuries, the House Mill continuing in production until it was bombed in 1941 and Clock Mill up until 1952. Prior to the gin-making, bread was produced and the mills may have even been used in the production of gunpowder at some time in their histories.

Whereas Clock Mill – with its twin conical cowls which were used in the drying process – is now a school, the House Mill is under the care of the House Mill Trust, and is on the National Heritage List for England as a Grade 1 listed building. There is a nice little cafe in an adjacent building – which would have been the miller’s house – and a pleasant garden area at the rear.

Eleanor explaining the grinding-processEntering the building by way of the cafe, we began the tour. There are, I believe, three floors, plus an attic area, all of which were used in the milling process. Thus there are numerous stairways to negotiate, plus some narrow and low doorways, and much of the building is of wooden construction. All of these mills, the miller’s house and the adjacent customs-house building, are – remarkably – built on an artificial island. The River Lea here is a complex system of channels – the Bow Back Rivers – and would have been exceptionally marshy. This is a wonderful example of land reclamation, but the Lea – London’s “second” river, as it is sometimes known – has a big tide rise-and-fall here, and so apart from the generally damp condition anyway, is prone to frequent flooding. What with the stairs and doorways, wooden beams and mill-mechanisms, even rotting floorboards presented something of a hazard, but all were negotiated safely, and Eleanor’s information was full of interest.

The group spent about one-and-a-half hours on the tour – more than is usual I understand – but there was no follow-up group to hurry us along so we were able to really appreciate the excellent guide to the wonderful building.

Some of our group had pre-ordered food, so stayed to eat it in the cafe or the garden, whereas Trevor and I, fancying a walk, strolled (or paced) on past Bow Locks, leaving the Lee Navigation to channel through to Limehouse Basin, and alongside the River Lea to lunch at Cody Dock, about a mile south. (here)

A view of Stratford from the House Mill

Plaque on wall of House Mill: D.S.B. 1776 (Daniel S.Bisson)

Paul Ferris   18th June, 2018

Woodberry Wetlands and New River walk - 2nd June 2018

Lynne’s proposed visit to Woodberry Wetlands was one I’d looked forward to, and – particularly as the weather proved fair, if somewhat humid, I joined Lynne and six others at Manor House station for the allotted departure time of 10.30.

A short walk through an estate – with some impressive new tower blocks clad with some exciting new colours – led us to a stretch of the New River. This new river is in reality quite old, and is not a river. It was built in the early 17th C. as an aqueduct to carry fresh water from a spring at Amwell in Hertfordshire the 40-plus miles to London, with waterworks at New River Head, near the Angel.

A footpath alongside this waterway led us to the entrance to the northern-most of the two north London Reservoirs that have now been made accessible to the public and branded as Woodberry Wetlands. The public side of these is run by the London Wildlife Trust, at whose nice cafe, we – perhaps unsurprisingly – stopped for tea, and coffee. From the rooftop vantage point we were able to sit in the sunshine looking out over the reservoirs.

Afterwards we continued our walk by means of a stretch of the New River footpath, passing the southern reservoir, which is used for sailing and similar water activities. This length of footpath was particularly notable for the colour and variety of wildflowers that grew here. We left the water-side near an impressive castle-like building, which was built in the early 19th C. as a pumping station.

A bit of pavement walking led us to Clissold Park, a 55 acre open space – similar in style to Valentines Park, so very pleasant to walk through. The land was originally the estate of Jonathan Hoare a City merchant, Quaker, philanthropist and anti-slavery campaigner, and his house - originally Paradise Hall - is a Grade 11 listed building now used as a venue and for refreshments.

Emerging from the park, the New River has been piped underground, but we were able to follow its route by mean of an urban lane between houses and and with a linear allotment. The next stretch was down the middle of a road, but because of the subterranean river, the central reservation is now a public footpath with trees, grass and flowers. The houses here are quite grand, although mostly terraced, so the whole aspect was pleasurable.

After another short road stretch – passing Canonbury station – we entered a park-like section of the New River, here above ground and beautifully landscaped, with trees, shrubs, nesting birds and imported rocks to add flavour – plus an old watchman’s building, built like one of the beehive dwellings where monks used to spend their holidays on remote Scottish and Irish rocks. The idea was stop illicit fishing from the river, and skinny-dipping in it, I suppose. We had time for neither, even though the building is probably only used for garden-tool storage now, and proceeded south towards down-town Islington.

The last stretch was probably the most built-up and busy, with a saving in the grand facade of the old Carlton Cinema, in all its 1930s Tutankhamun-inspired glory. We dropped away from the busy-ness of Essex Road, down towards the much more refined Duncan Terrace, where the gardens – again describing the route of the New River – provided us with a shady and pleasant spot to have a short rest-break before the final stretch.

Well, I never completed the final stretch of half-a-mile or so, as when we reached the Regents Canal Trevor and I decided that we would have a go at walking back to Mile End via yet another waterway. We never got to Mile End either, because at the junction with the Hertford Union Canal we took that, and then joining the Lee Navigation we continued south as far as the Bow Flyover.

From there we stuck to one of the Bow Back Rivers as much as private development allows, and thus reached Stratford Station.

Lynne’s walk from Woodberry Wetlands to New River Head at Islington was 5 miles. Trevor and I completed 10 miles.

Thanks very much, Lynne for such a pleasant visit to the wetlands combined with an interesting and delightful New River walk. And the company, as well.

Paul Ferris, 3rd June 2018

  Photos by Paul Ferris, Lynne E. and Peter G.

A Timely visit to Meantime Brewery

Sunday 27th May saw six EFOG members gathering at Caesar’s Palace, in Wanstead, for brunch.

Burping slightly, we then travelled to Cutty Sark station on the DLR and started walking towards the Blackwall Tunnel. What seemed a long time later we arrived at Meantime Brewing, a craft brewery in Greenwich. Suitably thirsty, we were told that there was a 30 minute wait for the guided tour. Just time for a quick half, then.

A very entertaining tour was provided by Buddy, a hungover tour leader at Meantime Brewery. After touring the site Buddy settled us down to sample the various brews, starting with a lager and ending with a stout. After that it seemed churlish to leave without sampling another drink, this time at the bar. After all, it was a hot day. A quick pose in front of the beer barrels was fitted in.

We then had another long walk in not the most salubrious part of London, passing an upside down electricity pylon (!) on the way and skirting the O2 to get to North Greenwich station on the DLR.

Arriving back in Wanstead, we had an afternoon meal at The George, and then off home.

   Article and photos by Brian U.,  29th May 2018

A walk in the River Chelmer area.  Saturday 26th May 

The group have been on several walks over the years in the picturesque Danbury area. Our latest started from the Paper Mill Bridge that crosses the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation, a stretch of water that has many narrow boats up by the lock.

When the eleven of us set out, the day was starting to get sunny as we followed the paths across the fields, gently going up hill towards Fairfields Farm, then descending to a stream which we walked beside, with many damselflies to catch the eye. The stream crossed the road as a ford into Nounsley village where I thought there was a pub.

As I went to open the door, a man in the car park asked what I wanted, only to be told it was now a residence - oops! If we had arrived at the Sportsmans Arms before 2013 the group might have had use of the facilities. In my defence they had left the door unlatched, the pub name on the end wall, and it still had its pub sign up. I wonder how many more unwanted visitors they will get wandering into their house?

It is a very easy, pleasant eight mile walk, not too hilly, the fields with views, blossoms and insects to enjoy, shady woods, and finally, the walk back beside the River Chelmer to the Paper Mill Bridge. Just past the bridge by the lock, we had a late lunch at a very nice café. 

  Article and photos by Peter G.