History

There has been a working mill at Otterton since at least Norman times, when King William the Conqueror granted all the local land hereabouts to the abbots of St Michel of Normandy. The earliest written record of the mill is in the Domesday survey in 1068, which confirmed its status as one of the largest and most productive of the seventy mills in Devon. At this time, there was sufficient water power for the mill to be using three sets of mill-stones. Otterton Manor estate (and its mill) remained under French rule for 400 years until Henry V took it back and gave it to the nuns of Syon Abbey. Later, when Henry VIII ordered the dissolution of the monasteries, the manor was sold to Richard Duke and remained with his family for 200 years. In 1785, the estate was sold to Denys Rolle, whose family was subsequently joined in marriage with the Clinton family. To this day, the mill and much of the surrounding land remains part of the Clinton Devon Estate.

Many millers have worked the mill over the years, but one miller who left his mark is John Uglow, who milled at Otterton from 1843 to 1864, with a rent of £100 a year. He was also a churchwarden, and introduced constables to Otterton village, arming them with cutlasses and pistols as poaching and smuggling were so rife! Uglow's business flourished and he delivered flour as far afield as Plymouth, indicating that he was making particularly fine flour. John Uglow purchased the two unique sets of French burr stones on which he inscribed rhyming dedications ("This stone worked the first time, tis true, May1st, 1862") and which can still be seen at the Mill today.

During the middle of the 20^th Century, Otterton Mill fell gradually into disrepair, during which time parts of the mill complex were used as a cattle market and slaughterhouse. Milling finally stopped in 1959, after which the buildings were used for grain storage. The mill was lovingly restored in 1977 by Desna Greenhow, with the support of Judge George Polson. Once again, the mill began producing the wholemeal flour for which Otterton is so famous. Desna ran the mill for 25 years, not only becoming a miller herself, but also creating within the mill buildings a centre for arts and crafts, natural and locally sourced foods, education and entertainment. Her legacy flourished under Bob Butler and Claire Stein, and continues with current owners Caroline and Simon Spiller who took over the business in April 2008. Otterton Mill is now by far the most productive watermill in Devon, and the centre of a thriving complex of working buildings, all of which are open to visitors free of charge throughout the year.