Mills – Gote Mills – Derwent – Cockermouth History

Mills - Gote Mills - Derwent

Low Gote Mill waterwheel active mill race and Fitz Mill over the Derwent bend p2 — Low Gote Mill waterwheel active mill race with grate to filter debris. The mill race started from the Derwent opposite the Castle and flowed by Harris Mill Derwent Mill and powered High Gote mill where Lawsons is now before flowing under the Gote road to power this Low Gote mill which the Quaker family of Harris owned before they built Harris Mill which became locally known as Derwent Mills where the Harris business operated until 1934. In the 1939-45 war the firm of Millers of Yarmouth took the site over so the Derwent Mills became known as Millers. On the left edge, over the Derwent bend is Fitz Mill which at one time was powered by a head of water from a weir that was later demolished, both to allow fish to pass easier and because of the power from the chimney works. p2

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Fitz Mill Derwent location and water pump house for Maryport p2 — Fitz Mill on the left bak of the Derwent ceased to be a mill around 1900. Goat Mills (Corn) at the top of this map is the first mill of the Harris family before they built Derwent Mill and known as Low Gote Mill. The old watermill building has been tastefully modernised into dwellings in 1974 with the waterwheel respectfully preserved at the side of the building. On the right of the Goat is also shown as Goat Mills and is known as High Gote Mill, now Lawson Haulage, previously Harkness millers of cereals. Both High and Low Gote mills were powered by waterwheels fed by a mill race that can be seen on the middle right of the photo and extended to its source opposite Cockermouth Castle.

Fitz Mill Derwent aerial 2024 was on gravel bend with demolished weir by Sandair cricket ground p4 — Fitz Mill Derwent was where the gravel is on the inner bank. The grassed area on the right of the Derwent is Sandair, Cockermouth Cricket ground where photos of 1901 show Cousin Charley and his hot air balloon taking off from.

Low Gote Mill waterwheel derelict mill race from Derwent once powered Harris Mill Derwent Mill and High Gote mill p2 — Low Gote Mill waterwheel derelict mill race from Derwent once powered Harris Mill Derwent Mill and High Gote mill. The adjacent building is in the process of being demolished and the main building to the right will be converted in flats, eventually with the waterwheel being renovated and made a feature of the area.

Low Gote Mill waterwheel active mill race from Derwent once powered Harris Mill Derwent Mill and High Gote mill p2 — Low Gote Mill powered by the mill race from the Derwent that started upstream of the Castle and flowed by Harris Mill Derwent Mill and powered High Gote mill where Lawsons is now

Low Gote Mill waterwheel detail mill race from Derwent once powered Harris Mill Derwent Mill and High Gote mill p2 — Low Gote Mill waterwheel mill race from Derwent once powered Harris Mill Derwent Mill and High Gote mill. The building to the left will be demolished and the building behind will be renovated to be modern accomodation with the wheel renovated and being a feature of the development.

Low Gote Mill waterwheel mill race from Derwent Maryport water supply pump chimney behind p2 — Low Gote Mill with its waterwheel and behind the low wall is the mill race from the Derwent starting opposite the castle which once powered Harris Mill Derwent Mill and High Gote mill. The building protruding to the left will be demolished and the building in the foreground will be renovated to be modern accomodation with the wheel renovated and being a feature of the development. The chimney behind is for Maryport water supply, pumping water from a borehole to Tallentire Hill above Bridekirk to flow to Maryport.

Low Gote Mill waterwheel preserved in redevelopment of buildings p2 — Low Gote Mill waterwheel preserved in redevelopment of buildings. The gable end once had a building attached which has been demolished. The renovated building now has a renovated waterwheel and views over the river Derwent.

Low Gote Mill gable end being redeveloped

Low Gote Mill gable end Maryport water supply pump chimney behind p3 — Low Gote Mill and Maryport drinking water pumping station chimney behind on the road to Papcastle. There were other mills here and some buildings were demolished. The adjacent mills once had a water wheel powered by the flow from the mill race that started its flow from the sluice gate opposite Cockermouth Castle, accessed by the footpath on the right bank that leads to the explanation board, with a second history board near the new housing estate, where there used to be a diversion outlet. The water wheel has been renovated and is on the left of the building that has been converted into residential accomodations.

Low Gote Mill gable end on road to Papcastle before renovation p3 — Low Gote Mill now flats between road to Papcastle and the Derwent before renovation. Low Gote Mill with name above the door “Harkness and Sons Spillers Animal Feeds” with delivery lorry name on the front “Dave Harness & Sons”. The chimney behind is the pump work to Maryport for their drinking water. On the right is the road to Papcastle. The mill once had a water wheel powered by the mill race that started its flow from the sluice gate on the right bank upstream of Cockermouth Castle. The water wheel has been renovated and is on the left of the building that has been converted into residential accomodations.

Low Gote Mill gable end Harkness lorry Maryport water supply pump chimney Papcastle Road p3 — Low Gote Mill with name above the door “Harkness and Sons Spillers Animal Feeds” with delivery lorry name on the front “Dave Harness & Sons”. The chimney behind is the pump work to Maryport for their drinking water. On the right is the road to Papcastle. The mill once had a water wheel powered by the mill race that started its flow from the sluice gate on the right bank upstream of Cockermouth Castle, now accessed by the footpath that leads to an explanation board. A second history explanation board is further downstream near the the rear edge of Derwentside Gardens housing estate, where there used to be a diversion outlet. The water wheel has been renovated and is on the left of the building that has been converted into residential accomodations.

Low Gote Mill gable end on road to Papcastle from the Gote when redeveloped 2024 p4 — Low Gote Mill gable end on road to Papcastle from the Gote when redeveloped 2024

Low Gote Mill with waterwheel further left renovated into flats Papcastle road p4 — Low Gote Mill flats between road to Papcastle and the Derwent after renovation p4

Low Gote Mill with waterwheel renovated into flats Papcastle road by the Derwent p4 — Low Gote Mill flats between road to Papcastle and the Derwent with waterwheel after renovation Low Gote Mill flats between road to Papcastle and the Derwent after renovation with replaced waterwheel. There were other mills here and some buildings were demolished. The water wheel powered by the flow from the mill race that started its flow from the sluice gate opposite Cockermouth Castle, accessed by the footpath on the right bank that leads to the explanation board, with a second history board near the new housing estate, where there used to be a diversion outlet. This renovated facimile of the water wheel has been placed by the renovated building that is now flats.

Low Gote Mill with waterwheel renovated into flats Maryport water supply pump chimney behind — Low Gote Mill flats with facimile of its previous waterwheel, this is accessed from Gote road turning to Papcastle road. Behind is the Pump House for Maryport drinking water

Low Gote Mill with waterwheel renovated into flats p4 — Low Gote Mill flats waterwheel accessed along drive at Gote Brow Low Gote Mill flats between road to Papcastle and the Derwent after renovation with replaced waterwheel. There were other mills here and some buildings were demolished. The water wheel powered by the flow from the mill race that started its flow from the sluice gate opposite Cockermouth Castle, accessed by the footpath on the right bank that leads to the explanation board, with a second history board near the new housing estate, where there used to be a diversion outlet. This renovated facimile of the water wheel has been placed by the renovated building that is now flats.

Low Gote Mill with waterwheel renovated into flats Papcastle road by Derwent p4 — Low Gote Mill flats between road to Papcastle and the Derwent after renovation with replaced waterwheel. There were other mills here and some buildings were demolished. The mill once had a water wheel powered by the flow from the mill race that started its flow from the sluice gate opposite Cockermouth Castle, accessed by the footpath on the right bank that leads to the explanation board, with a second history board near the new housing estate, where there used to be a diversion outlet. This renovated facimile of the water wheel has been placed by the renovated building that is now flats.

gote mill — High Gote Mill now Lawsons haulage yard on Gote Road after buildings at the side were demolished. The gable end on the left would have had a water wheel that was powered from the mill race that passed by Harris Mill (now called Derwent Mill) that now has the footbridge over that old bed of the mill race. The mill race then went under the road to power the waterwheel of Low Gote Mill, and then returned to the Derwent upstream of the old dam that had powered Fitz Mill (now demolished)

GOTE ROAD — High Gote Mill on Gote Road now Lawsons haulage yard. At one time this was a mill with a water wheel powered by the flow from the mill race that started its flow from the sluice gate opposite Cockermouth Castle, accessed by the footpath on the right bank that leads to the explanation board, with a second history board near the new housing estate, where there used to be a diversion outlet.

High Gote Mill now Lawson Haulage was owned by David Harkness p2 — High Gote Mill now Lawson Haulage was owned by David Harkness. High Gote was often referred to as “Harkness'” it spans the mill race which went under the main road. The mill was sometimes a textile mill but corn was usually the business here. The Harkness family were millers of flour and grain, roasters of barley for brewing, and supplier of feeding stuff for cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry. There is a reference to the mill in 1786 and it worked until 1969. Most of the premises are now used by Lawsons Haulage. Note the phone number 11 – early phone number.

Watermill located in Cockermouth on River Derwent and River Cocker jpg

Map 1800 Gote Mills area Bradbury Industry pt 1 p6 — Map Gote Mills area Bradbury Industry pt 1 p6 Note Fitz Mill on the bend of the river Derwent. Bradbury notes that it was a textile mill from the early 1800s, it ceased towards the late 19th century and was demolished about 1980. Note across the Derwent is a Weir for the mill race to Fitz Mill and there are photos showing the construction of a concrete bell shape that may be part of a sluice or other control for the height of the Derwent that powered Fitz Mill, it may have been a salmon leap to facilitate the migration of salmon upstream – the Derwent was a good salmon river. The tail race of Fitz Mill leaves to the left with a footbridge over it. In 2023, earlier floods have washed a surface on the right bank and exposed the old refuse disposal tip of Cockermouth, be careful if you visit this area behind the cricket ground. Opposite Fitz Mill Pump House is shown; this pumped drinking water from a borehole up to a holding reservoir on Tallentire Hill above Bridekirk and Tallentire, then gravity fed the water to Maryport. Beside the Pump House was Low Gote Mill which comprised two mills. During the last 300 years the two mills have variously been corn, various textiles or one of each. The Harris linen firm occupied one mill from about 1820 until 1847. [Bradbury] In 1834 the Harris family built what was known as Harris Mill but is now known as Derwent Mill (now converted to apartments). The Harris family extended their new Harris Mill in 1847 and moved out of Low Gote Mill. Low Gote Mill had originally two mill buildings but the lower one was demolished and the upper was converted into apartments which have the preserved water wheel on display. On the other side of the Goat Brow Road is High Goat Mill and the building remains at the entrance to Lawsons Haulage yard. To the right of the current entrance to Lawsons Haulage is the house dated 1802 but the mill is much earlier. There is a reference to the mill in 1786 [Bradbury p173] The mill was normally a corn mill but at other times it was used as a textile mill, run by the Harkness family, and closed in 1969. There is a photo of a Harkness lorry outside this mill. The High Gote Mill was often known as the Harkness Mill because of the connection with the Harkness family. The Harkness family were millers of flour and grain, roasters of barley for brewing and suppliers of feeding stuff for cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry. This mill spanned the mill race and went under the main road. On this map notice Blackfriars Bridge at the end of Spital Ing Lane. See Bradbury p174. Do you know why the lane is called Spital Ing Lane, or why the bridge was named Blackfriars Bridge, or the reason St Leonard’s Lane was so named?

Gote Mills and mill race 1727 Bradbury Industry pt 1 p7 p1 — Gote Mills and mill race 1727 Bradbury Industry pt 1 p7 Based on a map of “Land belonging to Goathouse” 1727 shows High Gote Mill and Low Gote Mills and the mill race that powered them. Note the name Spittleing and the mills that at this time are used as logwood mill, wheat mill, corn mill. Note the name River Darrwan when spelling was phonetic spoken with accents and not standardised in spelling.

Gote Mills Pump House Hospice after conversions Bradbury Ind pt 1 p6 p3 — Gote Mills Pump House Hospice after conversions from booklet Bradbury Industry pt 1 p6

Gote Mills 1820 Harris flax drying Hospice Bradbury Ind pt 1 p6 p1 — Gote Mills used in 1820 by Harris mill for flax drying then became a Hospice now a residence seen looking opposite Lawsons Haulage towards the Papcastle road, just behind the bungalow. See Bradbury Industry pt 1 p6

30 Gote Mill race from Derwent Bradbury jpg

Gote Mills mill race water channel sluice gate opposite Cockermouth Castle p4 — Gote mill race flows from the Derwent upstream of and opposite Cockermouth Castle, a path now goes to the start where a board and picture explain the purpose.

Gote Mills mill race water channel sluice gate mechanism opposite Cockermouth Castle p4 — Gote mill race flows from the Derwent upstream of and opposite Cockermouth Castle, a path now goes to the start where a board and picture explain the purpose. This is the mechanism to raise and lower the sluice gate to initiate the flow of water that would power High Gote Mill and Low Gote Mills.

COCKERMOUTH CASTLE — Gote mill race flows from the Derwent upstream of Cockermouth Castle, a path now goes to the start where a board and picture explain the purpose. On the right is the brewery and the castle’s washerwoman house. p2

Gote mill race from Derwent opposite Castle to Harris Mill and Gote Mills p2 — Mill race water channel from Derwent starting upstream and opposite the castle to power mills such as High Gote Mill in Gote Road that is now used by Lawsons Haulage, and the Low Gote mills accessed from the Papcastle turnoff. The area in the photo is now an attractive path with an explanation board at the start of this water channel and another board where an overflow diversion was near the new housing estate. The castle has trees on its bank, now gone. Cockermouth brewery with its malting tower on the right. The happy chappy wears a child’s sailor outfit. p2

Gote Mills mill race water channel from Derwent starting upstream of the castle p2 — Mill race water channel from Derwent starting upstream of the castle to power mills such as High Gote Mill in Gote Road that is now used by Lawsons Haulage. This is now an attractive path with an explanation board at the start of this water channel and another board where an overflow diversion was near the new housing estate.

Gote Mills mill race water channel runs by Derwent Mills — Derwent Mills with a mill race that commences opposite the castle on this right bank of the Derwent, starting where the sluice gate remains where a board has an explanation and picture, further down the channel is a second explanation board where the water could be diverted back into the Derwent. This flow of water powered Low Gote Mill where the Harris family originally made linen before building this Derwent Mill; this water also powered High Gote Mill which is now used by Lawsons Haulage. Below Cockermouth Castle is the washerwoman’s cottage, seen in other photos from across the Derwent.

Gote Mills mill race water channel from Derwent to power Low and High Gote Mills p2 — Gote mill race flows from the Derwent upstream of Cockermouth Castle, a path now goes to the start where a board and picture explain the purpose. Behind the girl and the two ladies is the field where linen was laid to dry, and (if accurate) be bleached as well as dried in the sun. The row of houses of the Gote Road is on the left and if the orientation is understood, the chimney is either the chimney of Fitz Mill on the bend of the Derwent, or is the chimney of the pumping station that took water from a borehole by the Derwent and pumped it to the top of Tallentire Hill where it flowed to Maryport – but is it High Gote Mill chimney?

gote — The photo is taken from Spital Ing Lane which is the narrow lane starting from where Gote Road swings to the right with the grassed area, at that point is Spital Ing Lae to the left. On the left edge centre you see a slightly elevated bank – this is the left bank of the Derwent which flows to the right towards the building with the square chimney and then the river bends abruptly left. At the bend is the square chimney and building of the pumping house that took water from a borehole and pumped it 220 feet higher to filter beds at the top of Tallentire Hill above Bridekirk from where it flowed by gravity to supply drinking water to Maryport. On the right of Maryport’s water supply is the building that was the lower part of the Low Gote Mill comlex that had two wheels that had been powered by a water channel that originated opposite Cockermouth Castle. The building we see on the right of the photo was demolished, leaving another part of the mill complex above the building seen in this photo – that was converted to dwellings in 1978/79 and the conversion preserved the water wheel. On the left of the photo above the raised bank (the left bank of the Derwent) is the old Fitz Mill on the inner bend. This ceased to be a mill around 1900.

Maryport water supply pump works took water from a borehole to Tallentire Hill for Maryport view over Derwent from ex Fitz Mill p4 — Maryport water supply pump works took water from a borehole beside the Derwent and pumped it 220 feet higher to a resevoir and filter beds at Tallentire Hill above Bridekirk. From there it flowed by gravity to Maryport. Built in 1810, it was converted to a dwelling in 1974 when the square chimney was demolished. It had a beam engine that was scrapped in the 1939 war. Photo taken from the bend on left bank of the Derwent from the site of the old Fitz Mill.

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Cockermouth History

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