Barton Mill was the most intensively developed of any of the mills of Canterbury. It developed into a complex of buildings and had mixed uses, making paper for a long period, in addition to its traditional flour production. The flour mill was powered by two waterwheels, and it is likely that at least one other waterwheel was used for the other purposes. In its later phase a turbine superseded the waterwheels, and roller mills ousted the millstones. Following a serious fire in 1951 the mill was modernised once again, but a further blaze in July 2004 saw its final destruction. This had been the last of the great mills of Canterbury, not only to work, but to exist. Some of the mill buildings have been saved and converted to dwellings.

INFORMATION SOURCE: Alan Stoyel 2007