Old Mills and an Older Bridge

Today's hike took me up past some more old mills and really old bridge. The pack horse bridge is rumored to date from the 12th century. The three remaining mills that are now private residences all came into being in the late 1700's or early 1800's. This is a fascinating area that is just a stone's throw from home

The top mill is Thornwaite Mill, it is on Dairy Lane. The middle two pictures are Folly Gryll Mill. The bottom picture is Gryll Mill. All three of them have been converted into housing

All three of these mills - along with at least 2 additional mills in Darley were fed by this little beck - which really doesn't seem to have that much water. However, the beck is spring fed and "always" will have water, which may be why the mills were built here

Further up stream, this surviving pack horse bridge may date from the early 1200's and was part of the well travel route from Boulton Abbey to Fountain Abbey. It is still part of one of the hiking routes today!

Along the way home, this mailbox, which is still in use, sits along the top of the moors with nothing near by. I wonder how many letters is gets?