About Duncton Mill
Duncton Mill is believed to be a site of ancient origin owing to its proximity to the South Downs Way (an ancient trail since Neolithic times) and the natural water spring in the grounds.
The trout-pond at Duncton Mill would further suggest this. However the first real evidence of habitation and of a mill is recorded in the Doomsday Book (1086). There have been orchards and fisheries at Duncton Mill since medieval times.
From that time, the mill was used for both dying cloth and grinding corn. The current water-mill was built in l824, and has not been used for nearly a hundred years. There are hopes that it will be refurbished one day.
The farmhouse dates from 1767 and the site was farmed until the lakes were constructed about twenty-five years ago.
Up until then the farm concentrated on apple production with eating and cider apples grown for market in Brighton.
There was a Cider press at the base of the Mill. Chickens were kept under the apple trees and you can still walk in what still remains of the orchards up on the hill beside the Mill Pond Cottage today.
The previous business ran Duncton Mill as a holiday cottage centre and all the houses were refurbished recently.
Within the hamlet of Duncton Mill there is a sucessful trout rearing and fishing enterprise which visitors can view.
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