Withycombe Water Mill (Marpool Mill)

Withycombe Mill was picturesquely situated on Withycombe Village road between the old grammar school (now Exmouth Community College) and Phear Park. This lovely old photo was taken in about 1881 and shows Henry Long with his mother Jemima and his father Henry, looking out of the top window.

The demolition of the Withycombe flour Mill was to make way for the flood relief channel after the floods of 1960. Today it would probably have been given Listed Building status.

There were ghost stories about the old mill. Some say the rumours of the mill being haunted were invented to deter the praying eyes of Customs Officers, from finding smuggled contraband substances such as tobacco, brandy and rum hidden in the mill.

By Christopher Long

Greg adds, Thank you Chris

Also:

The water for the mill used to come from a pond that was above the Mill to fed it from a "millleat" (seen in the photo just behind the wheel - a rectangular box) a though at over a metre wide. When the Mill was built (before 1892) they made bread for 6d a bag ( 2 1/2 p)

When the floods came to Exmouth in 1960's the mill collapsed with the force of the water, being build of just lime and cob. The was demolished to widen the road. There is a building standing today called Mill Brook House" near Phear Park.

The wheel is now to be seen at the start of the Madeira Walk, near the Tourist Information Centre.