What on earth is a Flint mill ?

This video is about Cheddleton Flint mill in Staffordshire. Our question was What on earth is a flint mill. Well flint is ground in the process of making Porcelain. Cheddleton flint mill is near the Stoke on Trent and all the potteries that were there in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is a water powered mill with two stunning waterwheels and it takes its power from the river Churnet. Inside the mill is all the engineering and mechanics that are associated with this type of 19th century water powered mill. The mill also had kilns for firing the flint and the flint was gathered and brought to the mill via the Caldon Canal. The mill is run bu volunteers and is a fascinating insight into the Stoke on Trent pottery industry and Industriual England in the 18th and 19th centuries.

[@christopherescott6787]

Gobsmacked to say the least. So much history packed into one space. Your productions are certainly world class.

[@Steve_Wardley_G6JEF]

A really interesting video Martin, I like others never realised flint was used in the pottery industry. A big thanks to Nick for his excellent briefing and to the Cheddleton Mill for letting you film, another testament to your standing Martin.

[@Pugjamin]

If you’re down that way again take a trip to/on the churnet valley railway. It runs from froghall just down the road.

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

What a gem James found there . Like going back in time 🤩🤩🧱👍🏽

[@earlt.7573]

Martin you've taken us through some wonderful old ruined mills, but this was a rare event to see one still intact and preserved. You're right about that smell of old machinery, grease, and workshops, for me it's a smell full of good memories of working in Blacksmith shops and machine shops over the years. Thanks for the video. Cheers.

[@glenjones6980]

One or two of the family worked at Robey's in Lincoln over the years as well as at the other foundries and engineering works in the city. It's hard to imagine the scale of the places that employed thousands of men producing everything from the first tanks to steam engines, steam locos and huge boilers so seeing a small scale industrial heritage site with all the gubbins in situ is really nice to see.

[@dilwyn1]

Thanks Martin ... Great vid as always and in 15 mins you answered so many of questions I have wondered about for years. Top job.

[@davidberlanny3308]

Hi Martin, Really interesting I had no idea about using flint to make porcelain. Good find James!!

[@danehardinge8801]

The stones used to grind clay into a fine brew used for slip-ware in the Potteries came from around Bakewell, it was carried by 4 legged beasts to canal-boats at Cromford. This stone is also used today to test drills & dilling techniques because the local limestone is ridiculously hard and this is why it got shipped across to Stoke. The Bakewell area is also famous for Black Ashford Marble - THE funereal stone for the posh and much admired by Queens Elizabeth & Victoria. Limestone fragments were used, until relatively recently, in Davey Blocks that are now banned for building by the Peak Park.

[@Blakduk59]

Hi Martin, thank you for this great video and wow, such an interesting place to visit. Thanks to your visit and video, we too had the pleasure of a personal guided tour of the mill with the very capable and knowledgeable Nick.

[@shirleylynch7529]

Fabulous . So interesting. We never stop learning. That sticky sharing bun looked rather tasty. Nice to see James back and Timmy too. Thank you all.

[@user-wu7sn7ml7v]

Thank you Martin and James. The video is perfect.😊😊😊.Timmy is a super dog❤

[@peterkilvert2712]

Another great video guys. I've been there a few times when the kids were young. The weir is not actually an overflow, but it's there to raise the water level so there is a head of water to flow into the mill leat. Also at Cheddleton is a steam railway line (North Staffordshire) and there is a corn mill in Leek. Also, maybe you don't know about Nether Alderley Corn Mill just south of Alderley Edge which is worth a visit, but it's not open often these days. Looking forward to the next video. Best Wishes Pete

[@myricallen9093]

Hey Martin!

[@Marc_von_Hoffrichter]

Thanks Martin! Great video mate. What a wonderful place, stunning. Hello James, good to see you as well. Thanks gents, stay safe. Cheers.

[@wacholder5690]

You learn something new with each of Martins videos.

[@christophernorton33]

Fantastic video Martin. What a find Well done James . That's a must-visit on my places of interest list.👍 😃

[@mileshigh1321]

What a fantastic location! I couldn't believe that the water wheel was working and it looked like most of the site was very complete! Nick was a very knowledgeable and enthusiast about sharing the interesting history! Good find James!

[@sputumtube]

Fascinating video with excellent description by volunteer Nick. Thanks for posting.

[@_wood]

There is so much to see in that area. I used to cycle from Cheadle Hulme through Macclesfield to Leek and take a sandwich break at the Cheddleton flint mill. They have done a really good job of removation and turned it into a real nice museum. It is close to the Churnet Valley preserved steam railway. Also Leek itself has a traditional market and is great to visit with the chance that if you visit on a Saturday you might hear the church bells change ringing. In the area also are Lake Rudyard, Titesworth serervoir,The Roaches (NT estate used by the BBC Pride and predudice mini series), and near to Danebridge there is the Hanging Stone which cane be seen from the main Macc to Leek road. Great Vid and so very informative.