Image: Ditherington Mill showing the malt kiln built by William Jones following the end of flax spinning in 1886.

Photograph by: Nabi Heydari (April 2003)

Text: Malcolm Dick

Summary

Ditherington Flax Mill is a grade I listed building. It lies in a semi-derelict state on the outskirts of Shrewsbury within a site which includes Grade II* structures. It was one of Britain’s most important factories and is possibly the most significant building in Shropshire.

This article by Malcolm Dick describes the buildings that form part of the Ditherington industrial site. The author has been helped by published research by Barrie Trinder into the industrial archaeology of the mill and archival material at Shropshire Archives. Illustrations are drawn from Shropshire Archives, Birmingham City Archives and photographs by Nabi Heydari, which were taken in April 2003.

The development and history of the mill and other buildings constructed by its architect, Charles Bage (1751-1797), are explored in another exhibition in the Industry and Innovation section of the Theme part of the website:
Charles Bage, the Flax Industry and Shrewsbury’s Iron-Framed Mills

Sources and Further Reading

Most of the information about Ditherington Mill can be obtained from Shropshire Archives. A particularly useful primary source is a collection of letters from Charles Bage to William Strutt. Additional material is held at Birmingham City Archives and Leeds University Library. A web search will reveal a limited amount of information.

Tann, Jennifer, The Development of the Factory (London, Cornmarket Press, 1970).
Trinder, Barrie, “Ditherington Flax Mill, Shrewsbury – A Re-evaluation”, Textile History, 23 (2), 1992, pp 189-223.

Sections: [click on the images on the right to access each section]
1. The Ditherington Industrial Complex
2. Ditherington Mill: Internal Construction, Ground Floor
3. Ditherington Mill: Internal Construction, Top Floor
4. Ditherington Mill: Internal Structure, Tie Beams
5. Ditherington Mill: Doors and Fittings
6. Ditherington Mill: Windows
7. Ditherington Mill: Cross Building
8. Ditherington Mill: The Engine House
9. Ditherington Mill: Blacksmith’s Shop and Stables
10. Ditherington Mill: Industrial Housing
11. Ditherington Mill: Clerks’ House
12. Ditherington Mill: Apprentice House, c 1800 (1)
13. Ditherington Mill: Apprentice House, c 1800 (2)
14. Ditherington Mill: Apprentice House, 1812