WORK to reinstall a giant waterwheel at a picturesque Lake District sawmill-turned mountain cottage is almost complete.
After permission to restore the iconic original feature was granted by Heritage England, work began to restore the 32 foot diameter wheel at a former Victorian sawmill in Coniston’s Coppermines Valley.
Integral to the mill’s operation from 1850, it was removed from the building when the mine ceased operations in around 1890.
But its forthcoming return will add to the attraction of the site, where sympathetically converted traditional cottages already serve as visitor accommodation and one is a popular wedding venue.
"When the opportunity came knocking for us to restore this beautiful original feature, we couldn’t say no," said Coppermines Lakes Cottages managing director Phil Johnson.
"My team is already well on with the work and I expect it to really come together in the next two weeks or so."
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