Although better known for its association with the young JRR Tolkien, Sarehole Mill in Hall Green, Birmingham, also has a link with Matthew Boulton who leased it between 1756 and 1761.

His father, Matthew Boulton senior, lived at Sarehole Farm for the last few years of his life until his death in 1759.

When Matthew Boulton took over the lease of the mill, the family business was still based in Snow Hill in Birmingham town centre. Boulton probably used Sarehole as a rolling mill to produce sheet metal until he moved all production to his new Soho Manufactory in the 1760s.

Today Sarehole is a museum run by Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery, and one of only two surviving working watermills in the city.

The Mill is open Easter to the end of October, Tuesday to Sunday 11.30am – 4pm, closed Mondays except Bank Holidays. For more information visit www.bmag.org.uk or telephone 0121 777 6612.