The Millstone

The Millstone stands on the corner of Westgate and Dam Road, only a few hundred yards away from the medieval Tickhill Mill, whose circular stones, used for grinding corn, gave the inn its name.  

Tom Beastall, in his 1995 publication: Tickhill: Portrait of and English country town makes reference to the Millstone in 1803 as ‘a homestead and inn of a farm of 40 acres’, the owner of the properties was Mary Guest and the innkeeper, Joseph Tomlinson. For the next 50 years, the Millstone operated as both farm and inn, and for most of that time John Sidwell served as farmer and innkeeper.  

John Sidwell was also credited with brewing ‘good beer, made from hops, malt and dam water’; the malt would almost certainly have come from a maltkin nearby on Dam Road, which was operated by maltster, George Sidwell, who may have been John’s brother.  

Like many other inns in Tickhill, the Millstone was also a venue for public activities. In the early 19th century, parcel carriers’, James Hibberson & William Crampton operated a regular service from the inn to Gainsborough and Sheffield. A similar service was still operating decades later when Kelly’s 1889 Directory describes the innkeeper, Francis Asher as a ‘carrier’; following his death, his wife Susanna ran the inn until the end of the century.

The Millstone prospered in the early years of the 20th century under the management of Godfrey Emerson; in 1908, it was completely rebuilt in the mock-Tudor style. Evidence submitted in support of an application for a renewal of licence at the Licensing Sessions that year, stated that ‘There was a good deal of stabling . …. it [the Millstone] was well conducted, and a good deal of catering was done for customers. Since April 15th 1906 to Jan 25th 1907 ……..1,889 meals were served’.   

It was modernised in 1955 and several years later, Nora and Sydney Mills took over as joint landlords. Further refurbishment took place in 1984, and once again the mock-Tudor style of 1908 was retained.