There has been a mill on this site since 1542, but the current building dates from the mid-18th Century. In the 1850s a steam engine was installed and a chimney built, which provides Sarehole Mill with its distinctive silhouette.
The mill has connections with Matthew Boulton, who leased Sarehole Mill between 1756 and 1761 and used it as a ‘flatting mill’, producing sheet metal used for button manufacturing.
Another famous connection is with the author JRR Tolkien, author of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogy. He lived across the road from the mill. Later in life he stated how the mill and rural surroundings inspired his writings of Middle-earth.
Sarehole Mill is now home to a new modern day bakery which serves delicious freshly baked treats! You can now enjoy a pizza in the courtyard, or pre-order a freshly baked loaf of bread with our bake and take service available at our community shop.
The mill has two waterwheels, one of which has until recently been operational and used to grind wheat. Sadly the waterwheel at Sarehole Mill is currently out of action and we are unable to operate the machinery due to flood damage at the site last the year. We are currently working to return the waterwheel to full working order.
Did you know that Sarehole Mill is one of many museums in Birmingham?