Hidden in plain sight at Bromley-by-Bow, the House Mill and Miller’s House are among London’s most remarkable yet under-used heritage treasures. Built in 1776, this vast tidal mill — the world’s largest, and a Grade I listed landmark — and its riverside companion hold extraordinary potential for public benefit.

Behind their quiet façade lies space for performance, art, community and commerce to thrive side-by-side. With the right vision and leadership, the site could once again be alive every week of the year — open, vibrant and self-sustaining.

In 2026, the House Mill turns 250 — a once-in-a-generation moment to bring it back to life.

A stage for the imagination

The Mill’s former grinding floor can seat around 60 guests, offering an intimate setting for everything from operettas and chamber recitals to comedy nights and spoken-word evenings. It is already licensed as a wedding venue — and a handful of romantic performances have taken place — but its potential as a small-scale theatre has barely been touched.

Immersive arts & cultural festivals

The mill’s wonderfully named “smutting and dressing” floor has already hosted small-scale quests and escape-room-style events. The atmospheric grain bins above offer rich potential for immersive theatre, installations or artist studios — even a boutique “emporium” that brings craftspeople and visitors directly into the Mill’s story.

The site’s gallery and exhibition spaces are ideal for rotating shows, installations and film screenings. Together, the Mill and Miller’s House could host music nights, seasonal markets and neighbourhood festivals, bringing life back to this hidden quarter of East London.

With a riverside garden, a terrace over the Lea and bright, adaptable rooms throughout, the site also offers inspirational spaces for workshops, meetings and artist residencies.

Heritage meets nature

Beyond its industrial history, the Mill sits on the cusp of the Green of Three Mills Island. Past projects have included interactive treasure-hunt tours exploring the site’s history, engineering and ecology.

With volunteers and partners, these could grow into a full family-friendly heritage experience — linking mill, river and parkland, and reconnecting visitors with the site’s working relationship to nature.

1776 Coffee House by day, candlelit tavern by night

Built at the height of the Age of Enlightenment, the House Mill could once more embody its spirit as an 18th-century London coffee house — buzzing by day with conversation, creativity and character.

Upstairs, flexible workspaces could host artists, writers and local entrepreneurs, reconnecting the site with the craftsmanship and curiosity that once defined it.

By night, the Miller’s House could moonlight as an 18th-century tavern and cocktail lounge, paying homage to the site’s gin-making heritage. Meanwhile, the House Mill’s lofty interiors could become one of London’s most distinctive dining settings — a Grade I listed tidal mill transformed into one of London’s most distinctive dining settings.

By night, the Miller’s House could moonlight as an 18th-century tavern and cocktail lounge, paying homage to the site’s gin-making heritage. Meanwhile, the House Mill’s lofty interiors could offer one of London’s most distinctive dining experiences — a Grade I listed tidal mill brought to life with a historically inspired menu.