House Mill, Tide mill in Bromley-by-bow, England
House Mill is a tide mill on Three Mills Island with four water wheels, two of which survive within its brick and timber structure. The building used the rise and fall of the Thames to power its operations.
Built in 1776, this mill stood on land where milling had occurred centuries before. It ground flour through the 1800s and later housed a gin distillery before operations ended in 1940.
The mill sits within a conservation area that reflects London's deep roots in milling and industrial craftsmanship. You can see how the work here was entirely shaped by the river's tides and the rhythm of the water.
The site opens only for guided tours, typically on weekends during warmer months. Check opening dates in advance as availability changes seasonally.
This is the largest surviving tidal mill in the world and operates with both cast iron and wooden wheel mechanisms. The mix of materials shows how builders adapted and combined technologies as engineering methods evolved.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
