Our funding supports Tregargus Trust CIO to replace the roof at Chapel Mill, a Grade II* listed china stone grinding mill.
Chapel Mill is located in the Tregargus Valley near St Austell and still holds all its original 19th century china stone grinding machinery, making it the best-preserved example of its kind in England.
It was added to the Historic England Heritage at Risk Register in 2020, following 50 years of neglect in private ownership. A storm in 2024 caused the mill’s roof to collapse, leaving it open to the elements.
Our grant of £27,155 will help towards the cost of the new roof, protecting the structure and stopping further damage to the internal machinery. Further funding has come from Historic England and the SPAB Mills Section.
The idea of grinding china stone (a type of granite) to make porcelain was imported into Europe from China in the early 18th century. The deposits around St Austell were the world’s largest and by 1910 Cornwall produced around one million tonnes of china clay every year, around half the world’s total.
As a rare legacy of the local mining industry, its restoration will protect this heritage for future generations and provide access for people to learn about the mill’s history.
Simon Thurley, Chair of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, said: “Chapel Mill is a remarkable survivor of Cornwall’s industrial heritage, with the potential to tell the story of the china and pottery industries so closely associated with this part of Cornwall. We are delighted to support the Tregargus Trust in its efforts to safeguard this important site.”
Supporting heritage across the UK has been our focus since 1980. Find out more about the grants we have awarded.