Situated between Low Laithe and Wilsill, where the Fell Beck goes under the B6165, Knox Mill was constructed in the early 19th century as a flax spinning mill.
This photograph shows to the right the main building of the mill, to its left the flax drying building, its lower story punctured to let in air under the drying floor above, and at the back Knox Hall, the home of the mill's owner.
|
The following photograph shows the mill at a time when it was a restaurant. The mill race went behind the building as you are seeing it now, emerging from underneath the rounded window to the right of the photograph.
©Crown copyright.NMR |
The restaurant was advertised as follows:
 |
The following photographs of the mill building, now converted to a private residence, and the Hall, were taken in October 2005. The exit of the mill race can be clearly seen at the bottom left of the building.
 |
 |
The general history books of the valley have little to say of Knox Mill. The mill is shown on maps in 'Nidderdale', edited by Bernard Jennings, to have been active in 1840 and 1865. He also mentions water power being supplemented by a gas engine at the turn of the twentieth century.
A survey of Yorkshire Textile Mills by the Royal Commision on Historical Monuments, notes the following, "Early nineteenth century water powered flax spinning mill of three storeys and six bays with external end wheelhouse."
I understand that there is a local history of Smelthouse and Low Laithe written by Ken Gooch, if anyone could put me in touch with a copy I would be grateful.
