Pyes Mill takes its name from one of the area’s most important chapters of local industrial history and reflects more than 250 years of life beside the Lancaster Canal. Today, the building stands proudly next to Lock No. 6 on the Glasson Branch, but its story begins long before the canal itself was completed.

A Mill Shaped by Water and Industry

The mill is believed to date back to around 1740, when it was originally built to harness the power of water from the River Conder. Water has always been central to the site’s purpose, and this connection became even more significant in the early 19th century.

Between 1823 and 1825, Lock No. 6 was constructed as part of the Glasson Branch of the Lancaster Canal. Built from sandstone and timber, the lock still stands outside the mill today as a reminder of the area’s engineering heritage. In 1824, the canal company purchased the mill for £1,100 to secure the right to divert water from the River Conder into the canal and onward to the mill wheel, with the tail race returning water to the canal below the lock.

The Pye Connection

After a period of decline, the mill was sold to the Western Railway Company, who rebuilt it in 1826 at a cost of £750. The restored mill was then leased to William Pye for a bi-annual rent of £57—a name that would become permanently linked with the site.

During this time, the mill was a well-equipped working building, containing three pairs of millstones, a drying kiln, two cottages, and a garden. Ingenious mechanical systems—described in historic records as iron cisterns, cloughs, and racks—were installed to carefully manage the flow of water from river to wheel and back into the canal. It is from this important period that Pyes Mill takes its name.

While we proudly use the name today, we are not associated with the Pye family. The name was chosen deliberately to honour the history and roots of the site, acknowledging William Pye’s role in the mill’s working life and celebrating the heritage that makes this location so special.

A Working Waterside Community

The canal continues south to Glasson Dock, completed in 1787 and believed to be the oldest surviving tidal dock in England. Once a busy hub for tall ships trading with the West Indies, the dock remains active today, now home to working businesses, a boatyard, British Waterways moorings, and a vibrant community of seagoing yachts.

The surrounding area is rich in history, from the ruins of Cockersand Abbey, to the imposing Lancaster Castle, and the Edwardian grandeur of the Ashton Memorial, overlooking the city and Morecambe Bay.

A New Chapter for Pyes Mill

Today, Pyes Mill stands as a reminder of Lancaster’s industrial past and its deep connection to water, trade, and craftsmanship. Sitting beside Lock 6 on the Glasson Branch, the building continues its long tradition of welcoming people to the canal side.

As Pyes Mill begins its next chapter with 1740 Bar & Kitchen and The Locks, the name serves as a bridge between past and present—rooted in local history, respectful of its origins, and ready to welcome both the local community and guests staying with us.