Listing verified as genuine
Posted on 10th July 2015 / 1661
Industry Type : China Clay
Power Type : Water
Public or Private Site? : Public Access
Condition : Partially Restored

This is one of the oldest grinding mills on the Tregargus Valley site and dates from approximately 1870!

The Tregargus Valley as a whole contains the finest assemblage of china stone mills in Cornwall and therefore the Country!

China Stone mills as a class are confined to Cornwall (due to the unique geology) and Staffordshire (due to the potteries industry). However, the Staffordshire sites were also used to grind flint as well as imported china stone.

Wheal Arthur China Stone Mill was built to serve (and named after) the neighbouring quarry, Wheal Arthur, and utilised the natural water power of the fast flowing River Barn, albeit with a lot of custom built infrastructure.

Very few places in Cornwall could yield this specific material and it is associated with the break down of granites into clays, a process named after a mountain in China where it was first observed – kaolinisation.

The entire Wheal Arthur complex actually includes settling tanks, a pumping shaft and waterwheel, the china stone mill with attached pan kiln, dry, linhay (storage building) and chimney. The china stone mill complex was connected to the Wheal Arthur quarry via a tramway.

The Wheal Arthur complex is the most complete of the 5 remaining mills sites in the valley.

The Tregargus Valley Trust are top-notch custodians and are working with others towards the restoration and stabilisation of these mills.

Now you can park at either end of the valley and take a stroll and see plenty of evidence of quarrying, leat and rail structures ans well as the huge grinding mills, all sharing the same mighty power-source.

Wheal Arthur China Stone Mill

This is one of the oldest grinding mills on the Tregargus Valley site and dates from approximately 1870!

The Tregargus Valley as a whole contains the finest assemblage of china stone mills in Cornwall and therefore the Country!

China Stone mills as a class are confined to Cornwall (due to the unique geology) and Staffordshire (due to the potteries industry). However, the Staffordshire sites were also used to grind flint as well as imported china stone.

Wheal Arthur China Stone Mill was built to serve (and named after) the neighbouring quarry, Wheal Arthur, and utilised the natural water power of the fast flowing River Barn, albeit with a lot of custom built infrastructure.

Very few places in Cornwall could yield this specific material and it is associated with the break down of granites into clays, a process named after a mountain in China where it was first observed – kaolinisation.

The entire Wheal Arthur complex actually includes settling tanks, a pumping shaft and waterwheel, the china stone mill with attached pan kiln, dry, linhay (storage building) and chimney. The china stone mill complex was connected to the Wheal Arthur quarry via a tramway.

The Wheal Arthur complex is the most complete of the 5 remaining mills sites in the valley.

The Tregargus Valley Trust are top-notch custodians and are working with others towards the restoration and stabilisation of these mills.

Now you can park at either end of the valley and take a stroll and see plenty of evidence of quarrying, leat and rail structures ans well as the huge grinding mills, all sharing the same mighty power-source.

Wheal Arthur China Stone Mill
Industry Type : China Clay
Power Type : Water
Public or Private Site? : Public Access
Condition : Partially Restored
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