Pin Mill past and present

Arriving at Pin Mill this morning, with the sun shining, boats bobbing on the river and people enjoying a stroll along the shore, it occurred to me that little has changed here over the years. Tourism may be a recent phenomenon, replacing the once thriving barge trade, but the atmosphere and appearance of this waterside hamlet has altered little in the last century. In fact Pin Mill owes its existence to the river as much today as ever.

Pin Mill waterfront with the Butt and Oyster

Pin Mill waterfront today

The oldest and probably best known building is the Butt and Oyster public house which dates prior to 1456 when the Water Bailiffs court was held here.

The early pub served as a watering hole for sailors on the Thames barges which anchored in Buttermans Bay to unload their cargoes into smaller vessels ready for the journey to Ipswich. Tales of smuggling,  rife on the East Coast at the time, were common and often associated with the pub.

The Butt and Oyster today

Pin Mill  was also a busy landing point for ship-borne cargo, a centre for the repair of Thames sailing barges and home to many small industries such as sail making, boat building,  a maltings and a brickyard. Harry Kings boatyard which is still thriving today dates back to 1850 and is renowned for its traditional boat building and craftsmanship.

In the 1850's there were 50 boats working out of Pin Mill stone dredging and  fishing.

Today much of the early trade has gone. The barges no longer unload their cargoes here, but they still visit and are a common sight on the River. The annual Pin Mill Barge match is a reminder of the connection Pin Mill has with these graceful vessels. 

Barges on the hard 

Barges in Buttermans Bay

Pin Mill has long been a source of inspiration for artists and painters as well as a literary setting. Children's author Arthur Ransome set two of his Swallows and Amazons stories here. Alma Cottage just behind the pub became the holiday home for the Walker family in "We didn't mean to go to sea" and "Secret water" Ransome himself  kept one of his boats "Selina King" (built in Harry Kings yard) on the moorings at Pin Mill. 

Today artists and photographers still flock here to capture the many faces of this riverside hamlet.

For more information about the history of Pin Mill visit http://www.pinmillsociety.org.uk/index.php/history

Photography and painting courses can be booked from Anthony Cullen at the Pin Mill Studio http://www.photographicday.com/

Information about Arthur Ransome and his boat Nancy Blackett which still sails around Pin Mill today can be found at the Nancy Blackett Trust http://nancyblackett.org