A collection of walks, discoveries, insights and pictures of exploring Dartmoor National Park
October 1, 2025
Creason Tin Mill
The Dartmoor Tinworking Research Group was set up in 1991 with the aim to encourage field and documentary research into the Dartmoor tin industry of all periods (ie prehistory to the 20th century), promoting awareness and appreciation of its place within the Dartmoor landscape. In the early days, the society spend four seasons of work at the Upper Merrivale Mill with the fourth season being in 1994 which was the 500th anniversary of the Great Court held at Crockerntor on 1lth September 1494. At the end of the first quarter of the 21st Century, the society continues to undertake research, clearance and survey work as well as site visits across the National Park and beyond. Dr Tom Greeves was the original chairman of the society and has been instrumental in researching tin mines, mills, works etc. since the 1980’s.
It is through the DTRG, that the author discovered the extensive research conducted by Tom on the Mill covered in this post, coupled with a very detailed survey plan created by DTRG members Tanya and Barry Welch. It is through these endeavours plus the ability to visit this site (as it’s on private land) via access permissions granted to DTRG members on a field trip this post was possible.
On 30th December 1994, together with his wife Elisabeth, Tom tentatively identified and area to the west of Hill Bridge just below the extensive tin streamworks in Chilly Wood as being that of a Tin Mill, now known as Creason Tin Mill. Tom described after this visit that there were: “Vestigial remains of a rectangular structure were noted and a possible Wheelpit”. Tom later discovered documentary evidence at Plymouth and West Devon Record Office which indicates from the 17th and 18th centuries there was both a Knocking (stamps / crushing) and a Blowing Mill here. Fast forward to 23rd February 2019, Elisabeth and Tom Greeves plus Murray Oates from DTRG found a few pieces of tin slag at the site, confirming its status as that of a tin Blowing Mill. Also some very fine silty mud was observed which possibly was tin slimes (i.e. the waste product from crushing tin ore under stamps). The evidence confirms that the Mill the was both a Blowing and Knocking (Stamping) Mill.
Even with the knowledge provided by Tom Greeves and the survey plan created by Tanya and Barry Welch the site is very difficult to interpret as it is very overgrown. The author gratefully acknowledges their efforts and gives sincere thanks to Stephen Holley who guided a DTRG visit to the Mill in September 2025.
Bibliography
Dartmoor Tinworking Research Group (DTRG) – Newletter May 2019, Number 56 (pages 15 and 16)
Dartmoor Tinworking Research Group (DTRG) – Newletter May 2022, Number 62 (pages 10 to 13)
This sketch of Creason Tin Mill is a considerably simplified version of a fabulous plan of the mill created by Tanya and Barry Welch of DTRG in April and May 2021, which followed 4 full days of surveyingCreason Tin Mill is to the west of Hill Bridge close to the mine leatLocation of Creason Tin Mill and Chilly Wood Tin Streamworks. On the tithe map of 1841 and its apportionment of 1843 this plot of land (no. 295) is recorded as ‘Lower Mills’ (perhaps a nod to the Tin Mill?), owned by John Buller and occupied by Thomas Dawe. However, no structures are shown.A winters view of Creason Tin Mill from the fenceline (on public access land). The dark horizontal ‘band’ next to the area of sunlight is where the Wheelpit is thought to have been located. Building 2 can be seen towards the top left between a couple of treesThe level, possible Mill Area was measured as being 12m x 9m. There is evidence of dressed stone here which is likely to relate to other features. In the (probable) Wheelpit area a few pieces of tin slag were found plus possible tin slimes (i.e. the waste product from crushing tin ore under stamps).The Mill area is very overgrown – picture taken in September 2025Summary of documentation found by Tom Greeves from the Plymouth and West Devon Record Office, confirming there was a tin mill at Creason. It is thought that the name ‘Creston’ and the placename variant ‘Cresson’ suggests that the family may well have originated at Creason.Building 2, taken from the south east end of the Mill. The photograph shows a small stream running through here which is shown on the sketch shown in this post. The location of the photograph is taken where Building 1 is located but is deep in undergrowthZoomed in view of Building 2 from belowWalls of Building 2 behind a mature treeBuilding 2 from above (to the east). This building is 4m by 3m and is thought to have possibly been used for accommodation.A small leat embankment above the wheelpit. There is a moss covered boundary wall between the leat embankment and leat channel further uphill. There is a opening (or culvert) in this wallA short length of leat has been identified above the leat embankment.Extensive streamworks in Chilly Wood. The position of the mill would have been advantageous given its proximity both to these tinworks. Couple this with the crossing over the Tavy, whether a ford or bridge, at Hill Bridge the location would have been idealThe Parish Boundary Stone is located at SX53085 80377The (possible) Parish Boundary Stone is located next to a fence beyond which is private land where Creason Tin Mill is located. The boundary here is for the Mary Tavy and Peter Tavy parishesA contextual picture of the (possible) Old Parish Boundary Stone in relation to the old School House, which is located up the lane from Hill Bridge
