You will find the Three Mills, in the East End of London, one of London’s oldest extant industrial centres. The Three Mills are the former working mills on the River Lea. One of the four remaining tidal mills, the largest and most powerful, is possibly the largest tidal mill in the world. The mills are mainly accessed by a bridge over the Limehouse Cut and River Lea.

Three Mills Site Clearance

The three mills was acquired some time in the 12th or 13th centuries by Stratford Langthorne Abbey, which was founded in 1135, and since then the area became known as Three Mills. In the 1530s, the mills were grinding flour for the bakers of Stratford-atte-Bow. During the 16th century the three mills were reduced to two, which are today known as the House Mill and the Clock Mill.

Three Mills Metal Recycling

The House Mill which was built in 1776, remains the largest tidal mill in the world, although the water wheels are not in operation. It is currently owned by The River Lea Tidal Mill Trust Ltd and is open to visitors on Sunday afternoons during the summer.

Three Mills Rubbish Collection & Recycling

The creation of the Three Mills Lock on the Prescott Channel and the Three Mills Wall River Weir, for the 2012 Summer Olympics construction work, has created a head of water behind the mill. This may mean that it can be operated again, but it has partially removed the tidal benefits of the site.