Chesapeake Mill

Chesapeake Mill sits beside the River Meon and features stone walls, substantial wooden beams, and traditional milling equipment distributed across several floors. The interior preserves the original machinery that visitors can examine today.

The mill was built in 1820 and incorporates wooden elements from the USS Chesapeake warship, captured by HMS Shannon during the War of 1812. These ship components were integrated into the mill structure after the capture.

The building serves as a gathering place where visitors learn about maritime history through displays of artifacts from British and American naval traditions. This naval connection shapes how people experience the space and interact with its stories.

The building operates today as an antique store and gift shop with open access to explore the interior spaces. Visitors can walk through the rooms at their own pace and understand how the facility functioned.

The wooden beams throughout the building bear visible marks from American ship carpenters and damage from the sea battle of 1813. These marks tell the story of a warship's transformation into a peaceful mill.

Location: Wickham

GPS coordinates: 50.90030,-1.18489

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:57