The Medway and its tributaries and sub-tributaries have been used for over 1,150 years as a source of power. There are over two hundred sites where the use of water power is known. These uses included corn milling, fulling, paper making, iron smelting, pumping water, making gunpowder, vegetable oil extraction, and electricity generation. Today, there is just one watermill working for trade. Those that remain have mostly been converted. Such conversions include a garage, dwellings, restaurants, museums and a wedding venue. Some watermills are mere derelict shells, lower walls or lesser remains. Of the majority, there is nothing to be seen. A large number of tributaries feed into the River Medway. The tributaries that powered watermills will be described in the order that they feed in. The mills are described in order from source to mouth. Left bank and right bank are referred to as though the reader is facing downstream. This article covers the tributaries that feed in above Penshurst.

West Hoathly Stream A stream rises at West Hoathly and enters from the right bank shortly before Mill Place Mill.

Gravetye Foundry A gun foundry stood at Gravetye. The pond remains.

East Grinstead Stream A stream flows through East Grinstead, and enters from the left bank shortly before Brambletye Mill.

Brook Mill This was the manorial mill to Imberhorne Manor.

Dunnings Mill TQ 391 368 Dunnings Mill was a corn mill, records date back to 1713, but the site could be earlier. The mill was demolished in the early years of the twentieth century, and the site was marked in 1932 by the sluice gate. A pub stands on the site, with a modern waterwheel. Dunnings Mill pub

Hartfield Stream A stream flows through Hartfield, entering the Medway from the left bank downstream of the B2026 bridge. It powered four watermills.The Weald

Bower Forge TQ 441 384 This forge may have been in existence in 1558, when Hugh Bottinge left "two tons of yron" in his will. It was working in 1653 but ruined by 1664. The dam has been recorded as long. The mansion of Hammerwood takes its name from this forge.Wealden Iron Research Group enter name of forge in search boxThe Weald

Cansiron Furnace, Hartfield TQ 453 383 This was a furnace and forge mentioned in 1563. It was in operation from 1574 to 1700. Michael Weston was the ironmaster in 1574 and in 1578 it passed to William Bowyer. Richard Stretfield was the ironmaster here in the late 16th century, later running Pilbeames forge. Sackville Turner acquired the furnace in 1613, and it was sold to the Courthopes in 1617. In 1639 it was acquired by Richard Tichborne and John Maynard. Although it was working in 1653, it was ruined by 1664 but appears to have been put back to work, being mentioned in 1700. Ironfurnaces.com

Averies Mill This mill was mentioned in 1598, it may have been a furnace.

Bolebroke (Bolebrook) Mill, Hartfield TQ 481 373 A Domesday site. A mill was mentioned here in 1598. The surviving mill building dates to 1740. The mill was a corn mill with an overshot waterwheel of diameter and wide. The Atherfold family were the millers from 1602 to the mid-1880s, although John Burfoot was recorded here in 1867. Alfred Tester was the miller in 1899, followed by the Barker family who ran the mill until 1948. The waterwheel was dismantled in 1977 following storm damage, but much internal machinery survives. The mill is now a small hotel, and was featured in the 1995 film Carrington starring Emma Thompson and Jonathan Pryce. Sussex Mills GroupBolebrole Mill Hotel

Warren Brook The Warren Brook rises below Crowborough Beacon and enters the Medway from the right bank downstream of the Hartfield Stream. It powered six watermills.

Old Furnace / Old Mill, Crowborough This furnace was mentioned in a survey of 1658 and marked on Kelton's map of 1747. Old mill was damaged by a fire in the early twentieth century.

New Mill, Crowborough New mill was a corn mill.

Crowborough Furnace / Woodeaves Mill, Crowborough. TQ 498 326 Crowborough furnace was recorded as being in existence in 1593. The dam is recorded as long and up to high. Woodeaves Mill was a corn mill, standing of the site of an old furnace.

Withyham (Mousehall, Mousehold) Mill TQ 496 356 This was a corn mill. John Pulman was the miller in 1574 and 1595, it was recorded as Mousehold Mill in 1598. John Camfield was the tenant miller in 1782, followed by Peter Everest in 1788. J. M. W. Turner sketched the mill c.1795. Mrs Everest was the tenant in 1798. Alfred Hall and Thomas Caffyn are recorded in 1838. Thomas Caffyn was the miller in 1843, later taking Ashurst mill. Alfred Hall was the miller sometime before 1882. Sussex Mills GroupThe WealdSussex Mills GroupSussex Record SocietyThe Weald Mousehall mill

Water-powered pump, Withyham TQ 496 356 A water-powered pump was erected c.1900 on the site of Withyham mill. It had an diameter waterwheel driving a three-throw pump. The derelict pump house survives.

Buckhurst Park Mill, Withyham A furze mill was recorded at Buckhurst Park in 1693.

Mill Brook or Steel River (Warren Brook tributary). The Mill Brook rises in Ashdown Forest, entering the Warren Brook from the left bank downstream of Woodeaves Mill, shortly before the Warren Brook enters the Medway. It powered seven watermills.

Nutley Watermill A mill was recorded in Nutley in 1564.The Weald

Steel Forge, Hartfield. TQ 450 316 approx. This was an ironworks, built c.1505. It was worked by John Glande in 1523 and mentioned in the will of Roger Machyn which was proved in 1524, but stopped by 1539 although it was later put to work again, being granted to Thomas Gaveller and Francis Challenor in 1549, and John Gage in 1554.

Pippingford (New) Furnace, Hartfield TQ 450 316 approx. Pippingford Furnace was the second blast furnace built, it was located very close to the site of Steel Forge. The mill dam is recorded as long and high. The furnace was built sometime between 1693 and 1696, and leased to Charles Manning of Dartford in 1717. It was marked as "New Furnace" on Budgen's map of 1724. A cannon was excavated here in 1970.Ukonline

Newbridge Furnace TQ 456 325 The first blast furnace built, at work in 1497, when the ironmaster was Simon Ballard. The furnace was leased to Thomas Boleyn in 1525. It was last known to be working in 1574, and the last reference occurs in 1603. The dam is recorded at long and up to high.Ashdown Forest

Newbridge Mill, Coleman's Hatch TQ 456 328 In 1598, Thomas Tailor held Newbridge Mill, recorded as having two watermills under one roof at £6 annual rental. In 1658, Richard, Earl of Dorset held a watermill at Newbridge. The surviving 1830 built mill is now a dwelling, retaining its overshot waterwheel. In 1867 it is recorded that Mrs Mary Fillcry (deceased) had been the miller. The cast iron waterwheel is diameter and wide carried on a diameter cast iron axle., Kellys Directory entry for HartfieldThe WealdEnglish Heritage Photo of MillSussex Record Society

Cotchford Forge, Withyham TQ 471 338 This forge was recorded in 1579. It was owned by Sir John Shurley in 1627, and mentioned in a Parliamentary survey of 1656. The dam is recorded as long and high.

Cotchford Mill, Withyham Cotchford Mill was shown on a survey of 1598, and on a map drawn by John Bowra in 1774.

Waterdown Forest Stream A stream rises near Jarvis Brook, and enters the Medway on its right bank below the Warren Brook. It powered three watermills, and a number of tributaries also powered watermills.The Weald

Cowford Furnace TQ 559 320 This furnace was built in 1562, when the builders were in dispute with Lord Abergavenny. It appears to have ceased working by 1574. The dam is recorded as long and up to high.

Redgate Mill, Rotherfield TQ 552 324 Redgate Mill was a corn mill, on the site of an earlier furnace.

Birchden Forge, Rotherfield TQ 533 353 Birchden Forge had a large pond, fed by two streams. It was mentioned in the will of Roger Machyn, proved in 1524. In 1574 it was sold to Sir Walter Waller, passing to Michael Weston in 1579. In 1595 the Earl of Dorset bought the forge, his tenant being Thomas Richardson. It was recorded on a map of 1598. The forge was sold to John Baker in 1617, with tenant Richard Maynard, who left his half share in Birchden and Hamsell furnaces to his son-in-law in 1619. The forge was operating in 1653 and 1667. John Browne built a boring mill in 1677. The forge was mentioned if reference to the sale of two iron mills at Birchden in 1709 and 1719. The forge remained in the Baker family until 1737. The dam has been recorded at long and high.The Weald

The Jarvis Brook

A stream rises near Rotherfield, entering the Waterdown Forest Stream on the left bank just below Redgate Mill, it powered a furnace.

Maynards Gate Forge TQ 540 298 This forge shared the same pond as the Furnace. The dam has been recorded as long and high.

Maynards Gate Furnace TQ 539 298 An iron furnace, possibly also known as Knights Place. This furnace was probably in operation in 1562. Anthony Fowle being the operator. In 1574 it was owned by Lord Buckhurst and operated by Arthur Middleton. in 1674 Anthony Fowle of Newick left the furnace to his son Richard. It was working in 1653 but ruined by 1664.

Eridge Stream A stream rises in Eridge, it flows into the Waterdown Forest stream on the right bank below Redgate Mill.

Eridge Furnace TQ 564 350 A large pond in Eridge Park marks the site of Eridge Furnace. It was owned by Lord Abergavenny in 1574, but may have been in existence in 1538. The furnace was working in 1603. The dam has been recorded as long and high.

Eridge Forge TQ 560 350 This forge was below Eridge Furnace. It was recorded in 1574 as being owned by Lord Abergavenny, and may have been in existence in 1636. In 1717 the output of the forge was 30 tons of iron. It was recorded on Bugden's map of 1724. The dam has been recorded as long and high.

Hamsell Stream A stream enters the Waterdown Forest Stream on the left bank below the Eridge stream. It powered a watermill.

Hamsell Forge This was an iron furnace, located close to Eridge station. The pond still holds water. The forge was mentioned in a will of 1619 and with reference to a sale in 1709 or 1719.See Birchden Forge details on Wealden Iron Research Group website.

Motts Mill Stream A stream rises near Withyham. It powered a watermill.

Motts (Shurlocks, Moat) Mill, Withyham. TQ 523 353 Motts Mill was recorded on a map of 1597 as Shurlock's Water Mill and as Motts Mill on a map of 1598. It was recorded on a 1797 1" to map of Sussex by William Gardner and Thomas Gream as at Moat Mill Common. The area is recorded as Motts Mill in the 1838 census.The WealdSussex Record Society

Groombridge Stream A stream rises south of Tunbridge Wells and flows in a westerly direction, entering the Medway from the right bank downstream of the Waterdown Forest Brook. It powered two watermills.

Hungershall Forge TQ 557 382 This forge was recorded as "Hughes Hale", it was owned by Lord Abergavenny in 1568, when it was leased for six years to James Ellis of Penshurst. The dam has been recorded at long and up to high.

Groombridge Mill TQ 531 376 Groombridge Mill was working until c.1934, fed by the lake of Groombridge Place. The waterwheel was overshot, carried on a wooden axle square. This carries a cast iron pit wheel with 72 cogs, which drove the cast iron wallower with 30 teeth, carried on a wooden upright shaft. The great spur wheel is all wood, and has 84 cogs, driving three pairs of millstones. A wooden clasp arm crown wheel with 70 cogs drove two layshafts. The millstones were one pair of diameter French Burrs, one pair of Peaks and one pair of diameter Peaks.,

Kent Water A stream rises above Cowden, and enters the Medway on its left bank below Ashurst Mill, it powered eight watermills.

Scarletts (Scalehurst) Furnace, Cowden.