Sarehole Mill

Walk in the footsteps of one of the most famous authors of all time and discover the inspiration behind 'The Hobbit' and 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy. JRR Tolkien grew up across the road from Sarehole Mill and spent many hours exploring the grounds as a child; in later life he would draw on its rural surroundings to create Middle-earth. There has been a mill on this site since 1542, and the current building dates from the mid-18th century. In the 1850s a steam engine was installed and the chimney – which provides its distinctive silhouette – was built. There are also connections with another Birmingham son. Matthew Boulton, manufacturer and business partner of engineer James Watt, leased the building between 1756 and 1761 and used it as a ‘flatting mill’ to produce sheet metal to make buttons.