Three Mills Green East London

Three Mills Green, East London

Three Mills Green is a historic park on the River Lea in the Borough of Newham, east London. The park is part of the Lea Valley Regional Park and is actually an island formed by the Lea and Channelsea rivers, both tributaries of the River Thames. The mill here is believed to be ‘the world’s largest surviving tidal mill’ though no longer in operation.

The River Lea runs alongside Three Mills Green, and there are walking paths that run along the riverbank. The Line, London’s first dedicated public art walk follows the Greenwich Meridian from The O2 to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. There are works by artists Thomas J Price and Madge Gill to admire along the way.

The pleasant green space is south of both Stratford and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The House Mill

History

The name Three Mills refers to the three tidal mills that have been located along the River Lea. These mills were originally built in the 18th century, though there have been mills here since Saxon times (recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086), and they were once used for producing flour, paper, and later, for the industrial processing of grain.

The early mills were controlled by nearby Stratford Langthorne Abbey until Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries in the mid 16th century. Thereafter they produced flour for bread and also grain for the production of gin. Both had huge markets in the capital, of course. In the 19th century the mills were acquired by gin distillers J&W Nicholson & Co who produced gin on the site until 1941 and the coming of wartime restrictions.

In the mid-20th century, the mills fell somewhat into disrepair. However, with the area’s regeneration over recent decades, thanks to the Olympics, Three Mills Green and its surroundings have become part of an urban renewal project in this area of east London.

Three Mills History Walk

Sights

The Three Mills Lock (Prescott Lock) is one of the key features in the area, situated on the River Lea. The present lock opened in 2009 on the site of a 1930s lock and allowed barges to bring building materials for the 2012 Olympics and into Stratford.

The actual Three Mills themselves are located nearby and are part of a heritage complex that’s been preserved. The Grade I listed House Mill is the largest of the three and one of the best-preserved watermills in London with impressive brick and timber architecture. It was first built in 1776 and then quickly rebuilt after a fire.

Visitors can take guided tours of the interior (available on Sundays or by appointment) to learn about the mill’s history, including its use from ancient to more modern times.

The other mill buildings are the Grade II listed Clock Mill (built 1815-1817), now part of 3 Mills Studios (a film, television and theatre production center), and the Miller’s House, which was rebuilt in 1995 following World War II damage.

Inside the House Mill

The House Mill Tours

Hours: April-early December; Sundays 11 am to 4 pm; Tours: 11.30 am, 1.30 pm and 3 pm; admission £10 (including free drink & poster).
www: housemill.org.uk

Information panel explaining the history of the buildings

Access

The park is within reach of several London stations with connections on the
London Underground, Dockland Light Railway and the Overground.

Stratford Station is a 20 minute walk to the north east. Additionally, Bromley-by-Bow Station is about 10 minutes to the south west and West Ham Station a rather circuitous 30 minute walk to the east.

Bow Road Station, on the District and Hammersmith & City Lines, is 30 minutes on foot to the west.

The 276 (Newham to Stoke Newington) bus stops on Manor Road near West Ham Station.

Nearby, the Abba Arena and ArcelorMittal Orbit are both within easy reach.