Article: Worsbrough Mill Museum and Country Park Article Body For all events, workshops and activities at Worsbrough Mill please go to Barnsley Live. Worsbrough Mill is a 17th century working water powered corn mill, set in over 240 acres of country park. It has a designated local nature reserve with fishing, walking and cycling being just a few of the activities to take part in. During your visit call in to the gift shop selling flour milled on site, alongside other cereal products and the locally made Worsbrough Mill Loaf, local history books, gifts and souvenirs. The Mill complex and Country Park can be hired as a unique historical venue for internal and external training sessions. It is also an ideal setting for wedding photographs, with the 17th century Mill in the background. Worsbrough Mill Museum and Country Park has three walks within its boundaries, it is also a good base for the Trans Pennine Trail or other longer walks, leaflets are available at the information point within the mill shop. About the Country Park The Country Park covers over 240 acres and holds local nature reserve status, it incorporates a 17th century working water powered corn mill and a 60 acre reservoir which is open to anglers and birdwatchers. The Country Park has well maintained footpaths that meander through Willow Carr and around the whole circumference of the reservoir passing meadowlands that are rich in wild flowers and where industrial heritage sites have now given over to nature. The Reservoir The reservoir was built to supply water to the Worsbrough branch of the Dearne and Dove Canal and it was completed in 1804. It was enlarged in 1826, when the depth was increased by about 1.5 metres. This gave an extra 20 acres of surface water. Two new spillways were installed in 1984 to comply with the Reservoirs Safety Act. The Canal The Worsbrough section of the Dearne and Dove Canal was authorised by an Act of Parliament in June 1793. It took 11 years to build and it linked Worsbrough to the seaport of Goole. It was 2.5 miles long and there was a flight of seven locks at Aldham, where it joined the Barnsley to Swinton canal. In 1810 over 2000 boats used the canal to carry goods to and from the many industries that sprang up along side it. Colleries, coke ovens, foundries, glass works, chemical works and lime kilms were among those industries. The canal was affected by mining subsidence and was closed for six months in 1884 for repairs. Due to the subsidence and the arrival of the railways it closed to traffic in 1906 and was abandoned in 1961. Part of the canal that remains can be seen across the road from the main car park. Rockley Weir When the reservoir was built the canal company who constructed it could only take surplus or flood water from Brough Green Brook and Rockley Dike for the reservoir. A weir on Brough Green Brooke diverted water along a channel for half a mile to Rockley Weir. From here it is diverted into the Mill Headrace and down to the Mill Pond. Due to subsidence the channel from Brough Green Brooke no longer functions, but can still be seen as a ditch running beside the path at the back of the reservoir. Rockley Weir is still the main source of water for the corn mill. Tramways After the canal was opened in 1804 landowners were authorised to construct railways to the local colleries. The tramway which runs at the side of the mill, up the south side of the reservoir was probably opened in 1821 to serve Stoney Royd, Ratten Row and Top Pit. In 1832 it also carried coal and iron from Pilley Hills Colliery and Ironstone Works. Several stone blocks can still be seen in the path. These blocks housed chairs in which the cast iron rails ran. The trucks which ran on this tramway were pulled by ponies and stationary engines worked the inclines. The ponies were stabled in the buildings in the mill yard and the mill also supplied oats for their feed. Walking There are three circular walks around the Country Park for varying abilities. Walk leaflets are available free of charge at the information point within the mill shop. The Fox Walk is approximately 2km and is suitable for wheelchair access. A reasonable walk with a few inclines. The Badger Walk is approximately 3.5km and is suitable for wheelchair access. A fairly level walk following Worsbrough Reservoir with only a few inclines in places. The Owl Walk is approximately 5km and there are some stiles and uneven surfaces. It is not suitable for wheelchairs. A walk incorporating many past industries, but can be muddy in wet weather. The Trans Pennine Trail runs along the edge of the Country Park, so why not start or finish off your walk with a hot or cold drink and biscuits, buns or chocolate at the mill shop. About Worsbough Mill Museum Cereal grains are relied on to this day for the basic part of our daily diet, but it cannot be digested unless the outer covering is broken. This is why milling began. Milling is one of the oldest industries. Local farms have brought grain to the mill for grinding for hundreds of years and it became an essential part of the village. The first record of a mill at Worsbrough, was in the Domesday book of 1086. The exact location of the mill on the River Dove is unknown. This early mill was a soke mill in the manor of Worsbrough. Milling soke was a right of the lord of the manor, giving him sole power to build a corn mill, which all his tenants had to use. The miller ground all the corn on the manor and was paid via a toll, which was one sixteenth part of the volume of the grain brought to the mill. The oldest part of the mill that is still here, dates from about 1625 and forms the two storey stone building known as the Old Mill, which houses the waterwheel. Before the mill house was built in the mid 18th century the miller and his family would have lived in the mill itself. There are large fire places on both the ground and first floors. The lintel over the fire place on the first floor is inscribed with several dates and initials of the millers. In the early 19th century the small village of Worsbrough developed into a large industrial village. Supplies of coal and ironstone were found locally and the Worsbrough branch of the Dearne and Dove canal came up to the village. A reservoir was built next to the mill to provide water for the canal system. As a result the population grew. The Old Mill was probably modernised in the early 1820's to improve its output and in the 1840's the New Mill was built next door. The machinery in the New Mill was powered by a steam engine and a third floor where the grain could be stored in bulk, was added. The miller was now a Corn and Flour Merchant, buying and selling wheat and flour, he no longer relied on the toll milling system. Trade for the miller at Worsbrough began to drop of towards the end of the 19th century as cheap imported wheat came in from abroad, straight to the roller mills at the ports. By the early 20th century Worsbrough's New Mill became disused and the steam engine scrapped. The Old Water Mill continued to grind corn and oats for the local farmers to feed their animals well into the 1960's. The Mill today In 1972, West Riding County Council began to restore Worsbrough Mill as a working museum. The steam engine in the New Mill had been scraped in 1922, therefore a rare 1911 Hornsby hot-bulb oil engine, formerly from Sykehouse Windmill was rebuilt in the engine room. A reorganisation in local government in 1974 meant South Yorkshire County Council took over the project. The museum opened to the public in April 1976, situated within the Worsbrough Country Park. It is now owned and run by Barnsley Council. The water powered Old Mill is still able to grind wheat in the traditional way. Milling days are usually on the last Sunday in the month or any Bank Holiday Monday except over the Christmas and New Year period. Milling at the Mill Members of the public can see the milling process on selected days at Worsbrough Mill, from the grain arriving from the farm, the cleaning of the wheat, the actual grinding of the grain, through to the seperation of white and wholemeal flour. All within the mill's 17th and 19th century buildings. The white and wholemeal flours are traditionally stoneground on a pair of 19th Century ''French Burr'' stones powered by a cast iron water wheel, installed in 1865. Worsbrough Mill flour Flour ground in the mill can be purchased from the mill shop, along with gifts and souvenirs. Please see the opening times listed at the bottom of this page. Strong Stoneground White Flour available in bags of 6kg £10.20, 3kg £5.40 and 1.5kg £2.80 Strong Stoneground Wholemeal Flour available in bags of 6kg £9.20, 3kg £4.80 and 1.5kg £2.50 Bran is available in bags of 500 grams £1 and Semolina is available in bags of 1kg £1.90. Special bulk buy rates (20kg or more) for caterers, bakers, farmshops and the general public. Please contact us for details. Our facilities Worsbrough Mill Museum and Country Park is available to hire as a venue. Set in a 240 acre Country Park, with local nature reserve status and historical 17th century Water Powered Corn Mill, it is a unique and relaxing location for meetings, conferences and events. Field study centre A room for approximately 25 people theatre style or 14 people boardroom, to conduct team building and training sessions. Please note this facility is more suited to outdoor related activities of an informal nature You can hire the following equipment on request. Small television and video Portable flip chart Portable white board and white board markers Projector screen Over head projector Projector stand Two double plug sockets Catering is also available, please discuss your requirements with us. Who are the Friends The Friends are a group of like minded people who are keen to preserve, improve and promote the facilities of Worsbrough Mill Museum and Country Park for present and future generations. The group provide help and support to the Mill and Country Park team of staff, raise money for special projects and hold events throughout the year to provide funds. They seek the support of local businesses and individuals and are active in applying to funding bodies for improvement grants. The Friends have monthly meetings to discuss new projects and future events. They become involved in events on site by volunteering their time to undertake marshalling and stewarding duties. What the Friends have achieved so far Grants obtained from funding bodies have allowed the group to provide new benches and litter bins around the park and the purchase and installation of a new bird hide. Volunteers from the Friends are also helping with litter clearance throughout the year. When do they meet Please telephone Worsbrough Mill for meeting dates. Charges and fees Friends membership is FREE. All we ask for is your support, attendance at meetings, help at fund raising events and projects on the site. Entrance to the Mill Museum is free. A donation box is located within the Mill Shop. Charges apply for some events and guided tours. Parking charges apply. Cars, mini buses and light vans are £3 all day and coaches £5 per day. Season parking tickets are available at £50 for 12 months, this includes both Worsbrough Mill Museum and Country Park and Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens, providing great value for regular visitors. Please ring 01226 790270 for more details. Payment can be made in person by cash or cheque, payable to BMBC. Cheques for group bookings can be sent by post. Credit cards are not accepted. Fishing day tickets are issued on the day by the bank walker and cost £3 for adults, £1.50 for concessions and children under 16. Children under 12 years must be accompanied by an adult. Season tickets cost £25 for adults, £12.50 for concessions and children under 16. This season ticket covers fishing at Brampton Canal, Fiskerton section of the River Trent, Smithes Pond, Tinkers Pond, and Worsbrough Reservoir. For further information please contact the Barnsley Amalgamated Angling Association 01226 203090. Field study centre charges and fees No parking charges for delegates. Parking for small groups is located up the private drive near the mill museum. Large group parking is available in the main car park. Free parking vouchers can be obtained from the mill shop. Field study centre hire costs are £70 for a full day and £35 for a half day. Methods of payment available Cash, cheque or invoice. Opening times Mill Museum April to October Open Saturday to Wednesday 11am to 4pm. Last admission to the Mill Museum 3.45pm. Open for pre-booked group visits all year round. The Country Park is open all year round Car park Closed at 9.30pm or dusk, if sooner. Location How to find us Off junction 36 M1 follow the brown signs. From Stairfoot Roundabout follow the brown signs and directions to Worsbrough. From Barnsley follow the signs for Worsbrough A61 Frequently asked questions Is there wheelchair access Partial access to the museum. The Country Park has no steps but there are slight inclines and one narrow bridge, but it is accessible to wheelchair users. The field study centre has four steps to the main door, ramp access is available through a door around the side. Are dogs allowed in the Country Park Yes dogs are allowed in the country park, but please keep them at a lead around the parks ducks, geese and sheep. Please ensure you clean up after your pet, dog bins are sited around the Country Park. Are bicycles allowed in the Country Park Yes, but please don't leave the paths. Can we get there by bus or train Yes, trains to Barnsley then local bus routes to Worsbrough Bridge. Is there a cafe Refreshments are available at Worsbrough Mill Museum. Do you have toilets Yes. We also have baby changing facilities Can I take photographs in the museum Photography is not permitted in the museum for conservation reasons. Photos may be taken outside and around the Country Park. Please call in advance if you want to photograph something in particular for research or other purposes, from inside the Mill. Is it suitable for Children Yes Can we see the milling of flour in action Yes, during the opening season milling demonstrations take place on Bank holidays and the last Sunday in the month. Please note this is subject to change. When can we buy flour Flour can be bought during normal shop opening times and out of hours by telephone order. It is also available from Rob Royd Farm Shop, Genn Lane, Worsbrough. Is the flour 'stone-ground' Yes, all the flour milled at Worsbrough Mill is ground traditionally on stones, powered by a waterwheel. For further information For further information or to obtain a leaflet about the site please contact. Worsbrough Mill Museum and Country Park Worsbrough Bridge Barnsley S70 5LJ Telephone: 01226 774527 Email: worsbroughmill@barnsley.gov.uk