The Old Silk Mill

Stephen Nixon

The Guild of Handicraft workshop

After the fine old buildings of Campden such as the Almshouses, St James Church, Grevel House and the Market Hall , it is perhaps unexpected to find an 18th century silk mill almost hidden away behind cottages in Sheep Street, just a hundred yards from the High Street.

A silk mill in Campden?

While it is surprising to find an three storey silk mill in a Cotswolds country town, as with other Gloucestershire textile mills around Stroud and the dozen mills in nearby Blockley, it was the presence of a source of water which attracted the builders of the mill.  In Campden’s case it was the Cam running underneath the mill, which provided the original source of power.

The mill is listed as Grade II* by English Heritage (now Historic England) as it retains many original features and is regarded as a nationally significant industrial building from the 18th and early 19th centuries.  Certainly, its historic atmosphere is experienced as soon as you enter.

Origins and purpose of the mill

The origins of the mill are uncertain and the first documented mention comes from a trade directory of 1780 which mentions “the recently erected mill in Campden which gives employment to great numbers of the poor in the town”.  A close examination of the stonework of the walls of the mill indicates that a number of alterations were made over time. Throughout its life as part of the silk industry, the mill was a “throwing mill”.  That is, it was involved in the spinning of silk thread and not silk weaving and the production of silk cloth. The raw silk is likely to have been brought to Campden from Coventry which was a major centre of both the spinning and weaving of silk.  Raw silk was not produced in Campden despite the presence of a few mulberry trees.

The silk industry went through periods of boom and decline throughout the 80 years or so or the active life of the mill.  In 1834 a steam engine was installed to provide greater and more reliable power.  About this time, an extension was added (to the right of the stream when viewed from Sheep Street).  In 1851 when the mill seems to have been at its most busy, the census reveals that  15 women, 41 girls and two men were employed, but in 1860, after the signing of a new trade agreement with France, much of the silk industry in the country collapsed and the mill closed and was sold to a builder two years later.

The mill was owned for the latter part of its life as a silk throwing mill by one of the families which lived and also owned two other mills in Blockley.

New use for old building

The mill had a new lease of life in 1902 when the Guild of Handicraft re-located to Campden from London, and became the centre of a creative burst of activity under the guidance of C R Ashbee.  The Arts and Crafts movement focused on handmade objects, reacting against the rapidly growing dominance of machinery which resulted in the loss of craft skills.  Hart’s silversmiths continue to work in their original workshop from the time of the Guild, still involving members of the family.  They were joined in the 1960s by the design studios of Robert Welch on the top floor.

The mill has played an important part in the life of the town for well over 200 years and continues to do so.

Research on the Old Silk Mill continues and is currently focusing on the history of the building’s development and the people who worked at the mill and their place in Campden in the 19th century.  This is steadily adding to our knowledge and understanding of the history of the mill and its place in Campden’s history.

Breaking News

Our research team has found a news item in the Oxford Journal June 1777, which proves that the Silk Mill was purpose built:

Oxford Journal 28 June 1777

CAMPDEN, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, TO be SOLD by AUCTION, JOSEPH PRATT, On Wednesday the 2d Day of July 1777, at the Green Dragon Inn, in Campden, Gloucestershire between the Hours Two and Four in the Afternoon, subject to such Conditions of Sale as shall then be produced,  a FREEHOLD HOUSE, with a Stack of Mills for throwing of Silk, on a good Water, with Engines, and all other Utensils thereto belonging, for carrying on the Business of Silk Throwster in all it Branches; together with a good Stable and other Conveniences, with a Garden adjoining of about Half an Acre of Land. The House and Premises are entirely new and fit for a genteel Family to carry on the said Business; situate in the most pleasant Part of the Town, and near the Turnpike Road from Worcester to London. The whole now being in the Possession of Mrs. Spillbury, under Lease, of which about one Year from July is to come, under the yearly Rent of £5l. though greatly under-lett. For further Particulars enquire of Mr. Thomas Nixon, Attorney, in Campden aforesaid, who will shew the Premises, or of the Auctioneer, at his House Evesham, Worcestershire.

Very exciting! We shall continue to search.

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