One of UK’s oldest pubs, former medieval watermill in Barnsley, to go under the hammer

The Mill of the Black Monks pub on Grange Lane in Barnsley, originally a medieval watermill dating back to 1150, is to be auctioned this month with a guide price of £300,000.

The Grade II-listed sandstone property, now a popular pub and restaurant, is one of Barnsley’s oldest in-use buildings. It will feature in the next multi-lot timed auction by BTG Eddisons Property Auctions, with bidding opening on 27 July and closing the following day.

The historic property, which was constructed as a watermill by monks from nearby Monk Bretton Priory and is one of the country’s oldest pubs, is situated on a 1.3-acre site with a large car park and outside seating area and includes a separate two-storey stone-built house.

Powered by the River Dearne, the watermill was constructed to grind corn for Monk Bretton Priory. After Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries in the 1530s, the mill transitioned into private ownership and remained a working mill for hundreds of years. It was restored by award-winning local architect Malcolm Lister in the 1980s and still has many original architectural features, including open-beamed roofs, original fireplaces, the iron pulley system from its original millstones and centuries-old graffiti left by former millers.

Adrian Little, director and auctioneer at BTG Eddisons Property Auctions, said: “The historic Mill of the Black Monks really is a unique investment opportunity, combining a successful, well-established business with long-term potential.

“Because it is occupied by an existing tenant on a 10-year lease, an investor will secure immediate, stable yields from day one. The separate stone-built house, which could be used as a holiday let, manager’s accommodation, or for further expansion, also makes this property far more than just a standard real estate asset.

He added, “Situated less than three miles from Barnsley town centre and close to the major road networks, it is really well located and its amazing heritage and trading history mean that we expect to see significant interest when it comes to auction.”

For more details on the property, as well as viewing arrangements and bidding information, go to www.btgeddisonspropertyauctions.com.

BTG Eddisons Property Auctions is a national auction business formed by uniting the regional brands Pugh, SDL Property Auctions, and Mark Jenkinson. It now hosts a four-day national auction event every month.