The Secret Water Mill

The Worst-Kept Secret: Coombe Gill Mill, Borrowdale

Hidden away in the beautiful Borrowdale Valley, not far from Keswick, lies a little piece of Lake District history that has become something of a legend among landscape photographers.

Coombe Gill Mill, or the old water mill in Borrowdale, is often referred to as the “secret” water mill. It has been on my list of places to photograph for quite some time, so when I finally had the opportunity to visit, I was keen to see whether it lived up to its reputation.

And it certainly didn’t disappoint.

I visited shortly after a spell of heavy rain, which meant the gill was flowing strongly and the conditions were perfect for capturing the character of the old mill and the tumbling water around it. The combination of rushing water, moss-covered rocks and the woodland surrounding the mill made for a wonderfully atmospheric scene.

There is, however, a little uncertainty surrounding access. Strictly speaking, the location isn’t on public land, so visitors should be mindful of where they are walking and respectful of the surrounding property. There also appeared to be some building work potentially on the horizon, so quite how long the mill will remain accessible — or look as it does today — is anyone’s guess.

Finding the viewpoint

The mill can be reached via a marked path through a field, not far from the Seatoller National Trust car park in Borrowdale. If you’re planning a visit, wellies are definitely recommended, as reaching the viewpoint can involve crossing the gill.

The car park is pay and display, and while payment by phone is available, be aware that there is little or no mobile phone signal in the area. It’s worth sorting out your parking arrangements before you arrive.

Once at the mill, the classic composition is found by getting down low in the stream. From here, the water cascades over and between the rocks in the foreground, leading the eye towards the old mill.

It’s a viewpoint that really puts you into the landscape.

For these images, I kept the setup relatively simple. I used a polarising filter to reduce reflections and see through the surface of the water to the stones and pebbles beneath. I also slowed the shutter speed just enough to introduce some movement into the water without losing all of its texture and character.

The kit

For these shots, I used my Canon R5 paired with the Canon 16–35mm lens, along with a NiSi CPL polarising filter. Keeping everything steady in the flowing water was, of course, the job of my trusty 3 Legged Thing tripod.

Sometimes the simplest setup is all you need when the landscape is doing most of the work.

An autumn visit

I’m really glad I finally made the trip to Coombe Gill Mill. Visiting in autumn added another dimension to the scene, with the surrounding trees beginning to turn through those familiar orange, gold and brown hues.

Combined with the heavy flow of the gill and the weathered stonework of the old mill, it created exactly the kind of atmospheric Lake District scene I’d hoped to find.

Perhaps “secret” is no longer quite the right word for Coombe Gill Mill — especially among photographers — but standing there in the autumn woodland, with the water rushing past and the old mill tucked away among the trees, it certainly still felt like discovering a hidden corner of Borrowdale.

And sometimes, those are the places that make the best photographs.