This was the most impressive of the Canterbury mills, having been designed by the celebrated engineer, John Smeaton. It was not built until 1792, however, shortly after his death. The mill stood on the site of the medieval Abbot’s Mill, and it retained the old name, although it was also known as City Mill, as it belonged to the corporation. In 1896 it was sold to a member of the Denne family, well-known in East Kent milling circles, after which the mill was often referred to as Denne’s Mill. There were two waterwheels in the mill driving eight pairs of stones, and the machinery was advanced for its period, being largely of cast-iron. Tragically, the mill was totally destroyed by fire in October 1933.

INFORMATION SOURCE: Alan Stoyel 2007