Cotes Mill, Grade II listed watermill in Cotes, England
Cotes Mill is a stone building from the 16th century standing on the banks of the River Soar with multiple floors and traditional architectural features. The structure displays the solid walls and smaller windows typical of working mills, built to withstand the power of the water wheel and machinery inside.
The building was first recorded in 1086 in the Domesday Survey as one of two King's Mills in Loughborough parish. It operated for centuries before changing use to other purposes, showing how the structure adapted over time.
The building now houses businesses and shops that serve the local community and visitors. People move through its spaces daily, blending contemporary use with the mill's historic character.
The mill sits directly on the river and is easily reached from the road nearby. The interior has narrow stairways and different floor levels, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended for exploring inside.
The building contains one of the first self-supporting stone spiral staircases in the United Kingdom, recognized by the Stone Federation of Great Britain. This rare construction method demonstrates the skilled craftsmanship of medieval builders and how they solved structural challenges without modern tools.
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