Brass plaque № 59960

This brass commemorative plaque records: Wells Water Courses - Bishop's Mill (2). Wells derives its name from the natural springs which rise in the Bishop's Palace grounds (1). The springs known collectively as St. Andrew's Well, produce an average of 40 gallons of water per second. In the 15thC Bishop Bekynton tamed the sources to power the Bishop's Palace, and provide water for the City and the once busy City mills. Close to this site, the Bishop's Mill (2) was built, perhaps as early as Saxon times, where the Bishop's tenants were required to have their corn ground by the water mill and to pay him for the privilege. Water is still running under your feet and several adjacent buildings including the Town Hall as a relic of this mill. Recorded plaque organisation: Mendip District Council and Wells City Council.

The Bishop's Mill in Wells has historical significance due to its long-standing role in local economy, dating back possibly to Saxon times, where it was used by Bishop Bekynton in the 15th century to harness water power from St. Andrew's Well for milling and urban water supply, showcasing medieval engineering and administrative practices.