In its 250th year, let London’s lost cultural landmark live again

👉 See: www.yourhousemill.org

To:
• The Charity Commission for England and Wales
• Historic England
• Mayor of London and GLA Members
• Mayor of Newham, Newham Council and Councillors
• Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Tower Hamlets Council and Councillors
• Local MPs

Why this matters

The House Mill is one of London’s most remarkable heritage landmarks. Built in 1776, it is the largest surviving tidal mill in the world — and in its 250th anniversary year, it remains a site held in trust for public benefit. Yet today the Mill is rarely open, underused, and disconnected from the communities it should serve.

Despite its extraordinary potential as a heritage, arts and cultural venue, the public is too often unable to access the site at all — to the detriment of local residents, artists, heritage lovers, and visitors from across London and beyond.

In our view, this lack of access not only deprives the community of a vital cultural resource; it undermines the Mill’s ability to contribute socially, educationally and economically to the area.

At the heart of the problem is a governance structure that, in our view, has not demonstrated the leadership, capacity or vision required to sustain the Mill long-term and realise its potential. Concerns about governance, management, and public benefit have been raised — including formally to the Charity Commission — yet we do not believe meaningful action has not been taken.

Appointing an independent Chair, followed by a transparent, skills-based recruitment of new trustees under Commission oversight, is essential to establishing the leadership needed to unlock the site for the public once again.

What we are calling for

We, the undersigned, call for immediate steps to secure the House Mill’s future for the public:

1. Appointment of a new, independent Chair of the House Mill Trust

Using the Charity Commission’s regulatory powers to bring urgent leadership and oversight, with appropriate input from Historic England.

2. A Commission-supervised, open, skills-based recruitment process for new trustees

To ensure the Board has the independence, expertise and capacity to fulfil the charity’s objectives and secure the Mill’s long-term future.

3. The adoption of professional management and a year-round public access plan

So the House Mill can become the heritage, arts and cultural landmark that London needs and deserves — open, welcoming and sustainably run.

A future worth unlocking

The House Mill has the potential to become a vibrant cultural hub offering exhibitions, performances, immersive experiences, historically inspired interpretation, and hospitality anchored in its unique Enlightenment-era heritage.

Unlocking the Mill for regular public use would not only restore a landmark of national importance but also create a dynamic home for heritage, community and the arts — open every week of the year and contributing meaningfully to London’s cultural life.

We call on the Charity Commission, Historic England, London’s political leaders, and Newham and Tower Hamlets Councils to act now to unlock the House Mill for public benefit.

Let London’s lost cultural landmark live again.