Most organisations & businesses have struggled in the past year through the pandemic, but the lockdown has affected many in in the hospitality and tourism sectors more than most. One of which has been Caudwell’s Mill in Rowsley. If you’re not familiar with this Peak District tourist attraction it’s a unique, Grade II* listed, historic, water turbine powered, roller flour mill, powered by water from the river Wye. Mills have stood on the site for at least 400 years and the present mill was built in 1874. It’s located near the Peacock at Rowsley, and a stone’s throw from Chatsworth House, Bakewell and Matlock.

The mill has been owned and operated by a charitable trust for over 40 years, and under normal circumstances, welcomes hundreds of visitors and school parties each year, helping people to gain a wonderful and unique insight into this vitally important part of our national and international history. Although the pandemic and lockdown restrictions have meant that the mill had to stop welcoming visitors for the moment, the on-site shop has been able to continue selling a very wide range of flours, yeasts and other baking items throughout this difficult period.

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In brief, the past year has been a very different year to what many have experienced. As a flour mill we have been open throughout and for a large part of that year demand has been significantly higher than ‘normal’. We’ve met a lot of new customers and helped a lot of people feed their lockdown baking obsession.

Nathan Corns, Caudwell’s Mill manager

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The café has been entirely refurbished during lockdown and we have reopened with a completely new, still vegetarian, menu and we’re offering take away as well as eat indoors (from May) and eat outdoors for the first time too.

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With regards to the mill building we have continued to refurbish the main building  and have a medium term goal of completing a full restoration in time for our 150th anniversary in 2024.

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At the time of writing (July 2021) the lockdown restrictions are just being eased, however, it might still be a while before things get back to how they were before the pandemic. Many people are still not able to travel easily, and restrictions on tourist attractions, although currently eased, may be reintroduced if there is a spike in cases.

However, if you can’t visit the mill in person, the next best thing is exploring Caudwell’s Mill with a 3D walkthrough. Try the following virtual tour we created for them a couple of years ago. Use your computer mouse, keyboard or touch screen to explore:

Here are some of the other areas not included on the main virtual tour: