The 'lost' medieval bridge at Dilston Mill drawn by S H Grimm, late 18th century	Dilston Hall, drawn by Tho. Oliver Published by Act of Parliament 17 July 1766	Dilston Mill and the pier of the old Dilston bridge and aqueduct from the engraving by J W Carmichael, c. 1830

Dilston Mill History Highlights

As a former watermill, Dilston is also an intriguing early industrial site with its dam post holes, medieval bridge and later aquaduct remains, mill race tunnel and overflow channels.

Below are a few hints about some of the pieces of the puzzle in the story.

Romans and Anglo-Saxons:
Riverbed post-holes and dams: the theories of Raymond Selkirk
A horizonal mill in the Tyne: archaeological excavations

Medieval Times:
A substantial bridge and important road
Widows and orphans-some surviving documents

Border Reivers:
The Wild West in the Middle March; sheep and cattle rustling and vendettas

Consolidation, Rebellion and Disorder:
The early Radcliffes; James Radcliffe, the tragic Earl of Derwentwater and the Jacobite Rebellions

Greenwich Hospital Estates:
Distant Masters, Receivers and Visitations:
Surveys, Maps and Mill Accounts
Walton and Foster and the Mill Race Project of 1808
John Grey of Dilston: the Caretaker Master of the 19th century

The Sale of the Century in 1874:
The Allendale Estate takes over--local landowners and later tenants

Dilston Mill is bought from the Allendale Estate in 1989:
B and B begins in 1994
The Studio is converted from the old laundry/storage room in 2004