Crakehall Flour
We produce 100% stoneground wholemeal wheat & wholewheat spelt flours entirely by water power. Whenever we can we purchase and mill English grain which is proudly grown and harvested on a Red Tractor Quality Assured farm in nearby County Durham. We are delighted with the bread and cakes we have baked with these artisan products and have had good feedback from our customers – home bakers, professional bakers and hotels. We do not have any ‘bolting’ machinery to sieve off the bran and wheatgerm and therefore we do not produce an (unbleached) strong white flour. Similarly we do not produce self-raising flour. We sell our flour in a range of weights, from 1.5kg to 25kg.
Lionel mills to produce ‘Crakehall’s Finest’ flour, when grain supply and conditions allow, in our historic mill that has faithfully continued through so many turbulent times over the centuries. He very much appreciates the help that his friends also give him with maintenance projects and milling too.
The power to grind the wheat comes from Bedale Beck (known locally as Crakehall Beck), a tributary of the beautiful River Swale. This powers the breast shot waterwheel, made in 1897 by F Mattison at nearby Leeming Bar.
We currently have one pair of millstones in operation. In time, a second pair will be brought back into production. The stones are French Burr, crafted from pieces of quartz found only in the Paris Basin. Each stone is made of several skilfully-shaped pieces held together with plaster of Paris and an iron ring that was heat-shrunk around the outside of the stone.
French Burr stones were considered the best for flour production and imported by 19th century millwrights. One of the stones is signed by W Knowles of Thirsk and dated 1850. Millstones made from single pieces of English stone were used for animal feeds.
The wheat is stoneground slowly and gently. This slow milled process only slightly warms the flour leaving all the natural flavours intact. It is very good for home baking – bread, pastry, scones and carrot cake!
Where to buy Crakehall Watermill Flour
Direct from us here at Crakehall Mill in 5, 10, 12, 20 or 25kg bags. Please do contact us in advance to order and to be sure there is someone available to prepare your order and arrange a time for you to collect your flour. Tel: 01677 423240 or email flour@crakehallwatermill.co.uk
We are grateful to the following outlets, which kindly stock our 1.5kg bags:
Food Weighhouse, 8a Market Place, Bedale, N Yorkshire DL8 1EQ Tel 01677 426436
www.foodweighouse-bedale.co.uk Our most local stockest. They stock a great range of dry goods many of which you can weigh for yourself into your own reusable containers. Always a very warm welcome and very helpful.
Lewis & Cooper, High Street, Northallerton, N Yorkshire DL7 8BT www.lewisandcooper.co.uk It is well worth a visit to their shop – known by many as ‘The Fortnum & Mason of the North’! They have a lovely tea shop and lounge on the first floor too …..
Campbells of Leyburn, Commercial Square, Leyburn, N Yorkshire DL8 5BP www.campbellsofleyburn.co.uk Another super shop that is well worth a visit as you head up Wensleydale. They too stock a great range of locally produced food – meat from the fresh meat counter, cheese, milk, eggs, beer to name a few. They have a large wine / fine wine and whisky section too.
The Angel’s Share, Richmond Station, Richmond, North Yorkshire DL10 4LD Tel 01748 828261. www.theangelssharebakery.com . ‘Heavenly breads & pastries’, deli items and much more. It’s another gem!
Cross Lanes Organic Farm , Cross Lanes, Barnard Castle, County Durham DL12 9SL Tel 01833 630619 www.crosslanesorganics.co.uk Award winning farm shop and organic restaurant & supports local producers. In house butchers, delicatessen, bakery, general store and craft section.
Ivy Cottage Baker, Brough, Cumbria. Award winning microbakery passionate about making bread using natural and seasonal ingredients. Fabulous selection of breads and great supporter and promoter of other small local businesses. www.facebook.com/ivycottagebaker and www.instagram.com/ivycottagebaker. We often meet Mike at Cross Lanes Organic Shop to deliver our flour to Mike as it is approx half way between Brough and Crakehall!
Upstairs Downstairs, 25-27 Market Pl, Thirsk YO7 1HD www.facebook.com/UpstairsDownstairsThirsk Tel: 01845 526067 Tearooms Deli & Sandwich Bar ‘Best cafe food in Thirsk’!
Coghlans of Barningham, Barningham Park Coach House, Barningham, Richmond DL11 7DW www.coghlanscatering.co.uk Tel: 01833 625295 artisan bakery, tea room, village shop and restaurant – well worth a visit!
Minskip Farm Shop Minskip Road, Minskip, York YO51 9HY Tel: 01423 329063 www.minskipfarmshop.com Farm Shop, Cafe Restaurant, Farm – Meet the animals, explore the vegetable garden and more
Ken Warne Licenced Grocers 22 Market Place, Richmond, North Yorkshire DL10 4QG Tel 01748 822222 01748 822222
E-mail: enquiries@kenwarne.co.uk. They are ‘One of the leading independent food retailers in the North of England’.
Other bits and pieces –
If you would like to visit the mill please see our Watermill page.
Matt Baker visited Crakehall Watermill, Bread…Actually, the Wensleydale Railway and Castle Bolton on BBC’s Countryfile? It was a great portrayal of Wensleydale in the northern Yorkshire Dales – certainly inspired a visit!
