Water wheel

Water wheel, axle and support from Abbotstone Mill.

These are the remaining components of a large water wheel and milling mechanism from the Abbotstone Mill in Hampshire, likely from the early 20th century.

The original hydropower, the technology to develop water wheel and milling mechanism is believed to have been introduced to the British Isles by the Romans in the 1st century. Larger scale water wheels such as this one would not be seen in Europe until the 8th century. This example is atypical of British waterwheel designs as it turns two milling stones at the same time, rather than just one.