Blackwell Mill

 

Blackwell Mill

The loneliest village in England is how Blackwell Mill was described in 1921.

 The name comes from the corn mill which was powered by the waters of the River Wye and which had existed at the time of the Domesday Book. The mill fell into disuse many years ago and only the weir remains today.

 The Midland Railway came to the Wye Valley in1863 forming a triangular junction at Blackwell Mill. In the middle of the triangle, a row of eight cottages was built to house railway workers.  Blackwell Mill could only be reached by footpath so in November 1874 a small station, Blackwell Mill Halt was opened.

 

The station had two very short platforms without any accommodation but a platelayers hut provided shelter from the weather. Only two trains a week were scheduled to call although passengers could request additional trains to stop. The station never appeared in the public timetables.                                                              

 

                                                              

The 1914 Ordnance Survey map shows a mission room alongside the cottages, the only other building at Blackwell Mill.

 In 1921, the oldest resident was 73 year old Mr Cook, the signalman. The highlight of the week was being entertained by Mrs Drabble's gramophone.

 The eight cottages still stand but have been joined by a cycle hire centre. They are no longer quite so isolated as they may now be reached by road.

 This article first appeared in our April 2022 Newsletter