Ebley

Mill

Bodley’s Spectacular Mill, 1859

The young architect, G F Bodley was building Selsley Church for Marling when the disastrous fire destroyed part of Ebley Mill.

As the visitor approaches, the eyes move naturally to the echoing silhouette of Bodley’s spire at Selsley Church. They are a reminder of the union of faith and efficiency in Victorian capitalism, and are essential elements in the landscape.

Viewed from the meadows, Ebley Mill provides one of the most spectacular elevations of an early industrial building that can be seen anywhere in the country. The regular simplicity of the Clissold block is beautifully balanced by the refined elegance of Bodley’s building and the outrageous flourish of the clock tower. Both units were old-fashioned for their times.

It is simply-built, but has more refined detail than the earlier mill. The window bays are slightly recessed with an ashlar semi-circular head at the top, and the elevations are topped by a projecting stone cornice with a hipped roof

The clock tower and staircase are subtly different in design. Their vertical proportions are accentuated by the steeply pitched roof, topped by ornamental ironwork and a weather vane.

The Interior:

• The roof has double queen post trusses with a central valley gutter supported by columns.
• Each floor is a simple open space with five massive beams supported by a single column.
• The high ceilings accommodated the ever-larger machinery powered by overhead shafting.
• The large windows ensured plentiful light, and the semi-circular lights could be opened.

Adapted from the Ebley Mill Historical Study and Description by Niall Phillips’ firm.