Editing Cobham, Surrey (section)

===Cobham Mill===
[[File:CobhamMill.JPG|left|thumb|Cobham Mill]]

The [[River Mole, Surrey|River Mole]] provides a setting for the red brick water mill, constructed in the late 18th century and once part of a much larger complex.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1190885|desc=Cobham Mill|access-date=2 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk./en-286801-cobham-mill-esher|title=Cobham Mill|publisher=britishlistedbuildings|access-date=7 November 2011}}</ref> It stands on the site of earlier mills dating back to the [[Middle Ages]]. The mill was in use until 1928, when it became uneconomical to continue operating.  Thereafter it was used as a storehouse.

During [[World War II]], a Canadian tank collided with the main building, causing much damage.<ref>''Cobham Mill – A Brief History'', Cobham Mill Preservation Trust, https://www.cobhammill.org.uk/history-of-the-mill/</ref>

In 1953 the main part of the mill was demolished by [[Surrey County Council]] to alleviate traffic congestion on Mill Road. This left just the grist mill standing.
[[File:Cobham Mill photographed in June 2005.jpg|thumb|upright|Cobham Mill, June 2005]]

In 1973 the Cobham Conservation Group was formed, later to become the Cobham Conservation and Heritage Trust, and one of its main objectives was to rescue the much deteriorated grist mill building from sliding into the river as a result of water erosion of the mill island. In 1986 the freehold of the mill was taken over by the [[Thames Water Authority]] who, as part of their flood control expenditure rebuilt the weirs nearby<ref>{{cite news |title= Cobham's old mill sold |date= 9 April 1986 |work= Cobham News and Mail |issue= 2597 |page= 1 }}</ref> and shored up the mill's foundations.<ref>{{cite news |title= Millwork 'well under way' |date= 30 March 1988 |work= Cobham News and Mail |issue= 2700 |page= 1 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Agreement near on Cobham Mill |date= 27 April 1988 |work= Esher News and Mail |issue= 2702 |page= 2 }}</ref>

Thereafter, the Cobham Mill Preservation Trust was formed as a sister organisation to the Cobham Conservation Group and took over the leasehold. The building was restored to full working order by the volunteers of the Cobham Mill Preservation Trust, and first opened to the public in 1993. Cobham Mill is now open to the public from 2&nbsp;pm to 5&nbsp;pm on the second Sunday of each month between April and October, inclusive.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cobhammill.org.uk/|title=Cobham Mill – Home|website=cobhammill.org.uk}}</ref>
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