Documentary explores Bedminster mill dig

A new documentary on BBC 2 will tell the story of an 18th Century water mill which was uncovered in the heart of Bristol.

Digging for Britain, presented by Professor Alice Roberts, was recorded during archaeological digs in 2024 at St Catherine's Place shopping centre in Bristol.

Wessex Archaeology, who carried out the excavations, said the mill was in use for around 170 years.

"It takes us back to a time when Bedminster was a rural village, not really part of Bristol," said Prof Roberts.

When it was originally built on Mill Lane, the mill stood in an area of open fields.

During the 1800s, Bristol underwent a rapid expansion with new streets and houses which swallowed up the mill.

In 1828, there were around 3,000 people in the Bedminster area. By 1875, there were 78,000 people.

Vix Hughes, the lead archaeologist from Wessex, said the building went through a number of changes over its lifetime.

"As the dig progressed, it became clear that the mill used different water wheel types.

"With more and more people moving to Bedminster the demand for water from the River Malago for drinking and industry grew, meaning supply to the mill decreased over time.

"Many of the building's alterations were to keep the mill operating efficiently in response to diminishing water supply.

"At the end of its life, the mill was steam powered, making it more expensive to run," she said.

Prof Roberts said the water mill was "really well preserved."

"The archaeologists were able to trace its story and show how it changed over time, as the city was growing up around it.

"I would think of Bedminster today as being part of the centre of Bristol, not even a suburb," she added.

Digging For Britain is on iPlayer and on BBC2 on Wednesday 15 January at 20:00 GMT.

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.