frogmore paper mill tours

Frogmore Paper Mill – The Paper Trail

Visit the world’s oldest mechanised paper mill and the birthplace of paper’s industrial revolution. Operated by a conservation and education charity and open to the public. Guided tours, hand papermaking, boat trips, and much more.

Opening Times

Drop-in visits on Thursdays or on the first Sunday of the month, 11.00 to 16.00.

Tour Groups or School Trips, Monday to Friday 09.30 to 15.30.

Frogmore Paper Mill Fourdrinier Way Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire HP3 9RY

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01442 234600

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Frogmore Paper Mill

Please note frogmore paper mill is currently closed..

Visit the world’s oldest mechanised paper mill and the birthplace of paper’s industrial revolution. Operated by a conservation and education charity and open to the public. Guided tours, hand papermaking, boat trips, and much more.

Important Information

Please note Frogmore Paper Mill is currently closed until further notice.

Frogmore Paper Mill Frogmore Paper Mill Fourdrinier Way Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire HP3 9RY

Opening Times

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Frogmore Paper Mill, Apsley

A water -powered paper mill in the historic county of Hertfordshire , England .

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A working paper mill and visitor centre run by the Apsley Paper Trail Trust, (charity number 1079008) to preserve and provide an education resource for all, regarding the history of papermaking, the Gade Valley paper mills, the associated inventions and leading figures of paper’s industrial revolution. In 1803 Frogmore Paper Mill became the site of the first mechanised paper machine in the world, there having only been manual methods until this point. Based upon an idea by Louis Robert (Fr) and funded by Henry and Sealy Fourdrinier, the patent was conveyed to England by John Gamble. Bryan Donkin was appointed as engineer and his subsequent improvements resulted in a type of paper machine still in use today but first installed at Frogmore. A further improved machine was installed at the nearby Two Waters Mill in 1804.

The Gade Valley was home to a series of mills, mostly starting life as corn mills and recorded in the Domesday Book (1086), of which only Frogmore (previously named Covent Mill or Frogmoore Mill) remains. For Frogmore’s part, the mill converted to fulling, reverted to corn and finally became a paper mill in 1774.

This stretch of river in Hertfordshire became the site of paper’s Industrial Revolution. A revolution that started at Frogmore and developed both there and in the neighbouring mills of Two Waters, Apsley, Nash, Home Park, Croxley and Batchworth, owned and expanded by John Dickinson, to become a centre of paper innovation. Frogmore was the first mill to commercially produce paper made from wood pulp. The invention of the cylinder mould machine, the inclusion of silk threads in paper as a security measure, a burgeoning stationery empire that spread worldwide, brands still familiar today, such as Basildon Bond and Lion Brand, were all developed here. The mills played their part in the war effort of two world wars, moving from paper products to armaments and mill workers went to the front. The industrialisation of paper had huge impact on local society, with whole families working in the mills, a school being created at Nash, a section of the Grand Junction Canal was redirected, stations created and the Dickinson family dynasty, spread into the worlds of archaeology, science and publishing, and a social life sprang up which still leaves its mark today.

The Frogmore site comprises of the preserved British Paper Company buildings plus additions; an inactive, 1895 Fourdrinier paper machine, a working 1902 Fourdrinier Machine, which can be seen in action and on which paper is still produced for sale, related paper machinery, the archive, mill fire service exhibit, letterpress section, bookbinding area, a working full size waterwheel; plus demonstrations, guided tours, museum displays, paper shop, café and gallery. They also offer boat trips, group and school visits, creative courses and special events. The mill closed to visitors after a fire in January 2022 and aims to reopen in Summer 2024.

Full details

• https://www.frogmorepapermill.org.uk/
• Ordnance Survey six-inch map, Hertfordshire XXXIII (1883)

Contributors

Sara and Oscar Jarman, July/August 2016. Sue Woolnough, October 2020

Related publications in the library

• Early history of paper-making at Frogmore Mill and Two Waters Mill, Hertfordshire
• Paper pioneers

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Frogmore Papermill, Hertfordshire

Tue 3 Sep 2024: A Day Excursion to Frogmore Papermill with Johnsons Coaches

• Detailed Overview
• Pick-up Points

Tuesday 3rd September 2024

This day is a chance to visit a working paper mill and see the Fourdrinier machines being operated that were awarded to the mill in 1803 and still producing today using the same processes! Enjoy an included lunch before stepping on board the boat trip along the river that powers the waterwheel and enjoy a very unique opportunity to hand make your own sheet of paper as a memento. *Please note that this excursion includes walking and steps so reasonable mobility is required

Includes: Entrance, Mill Tour, Boat Trip and Fish & Chips Lunch

Depart Henley: 8.45am

Arrive: 10.45am

Depart Destination: 4.00pm

Return Henley: 5.45pm

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

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If you wish to make an online booking please follow these instructions; 1. Select the number of passengers required to check the availability 2. Click on the shopping trolley icon in the Book Now column (If the trip is unavailable, please use the Call Back facility to enquire about being put on the waiting list for this tour or to explore other possibilities.)

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Summer Storyboats 2024

Join us for one of our storyboats storyboats offer a gentle 40 minute boat trip, with stories and wildlife spotting..

Join us for one of our Storyboats! Storyboats offer a gentle 40 minute boat trip, with stories and wildlife spotting. Trips are aimed at accompanied children aged 4-8 years. Siblings are welcome but the stories are aimed at picture book appreciating youngsters. All passengers must purchase a ticket. We ask that passengers do not bring food on board.

We carry waterfowl food and feed the birds we encounter. If we are very lucky we see everyone's favourite a kingfisher.

Please park in Durrant's Hill Road car park. There is some blue badge parking at HP3 9RY which we can reserve, if you let us know.

Storyboats run on Wednesdays throughout the Summer Holiday.

Get a National Art Pass and explore Frogmore Paper Mill

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National Art Pass offers available at Frogmore Paper Mill

10% off in shop

10% discount on paper, pads and souvenirs, sold in the shop Expires: 1 Jan 2025

Visitor information

Apsley Paper Trail, Frogmore Mill, Fourdrinier Way, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP3 9RY 01442 234600

Opening times

Exclusions and safety measures.

WE ARE CLOSED FOR TOURS DUE TO A LARGE FIRE AT OUR PREMISES! But we are still offering boat trips, Storyboats and outside events, such as our Street Food Markets and Craft Fairs.

Sorry for any inconvenience caused. We will be back and operational as soon as we possibly can. Please sign up to our Newsletter (bottom of home page), and folow our social media for updates.

Our estimate for reopening with a temporary visitor centre is Spring 2023, while an all new permanent space is constructed.

Refurbishments

Please see website for announcements. https://www.frogmorepapermill.org.uk

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How to find us

A most enjoyable tour-worth the trip from Perth, Australia.

Apsley is the southern suburb of Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire. Frogmore Paper Mill is situated just behind the Apsley shops on London Road. The car park is accessed via Durrant’s Hill Road and the main pedestrian entrance is just a short walk away, off Fourdrinier Way.

CAR  users please use (nearest) postcode HP3 9QX for Durrant’s Hill Road car park, where there are 70 parking spaces and it is just opposite the mill. For those with mobility difficulties we have 2 disabled spaces at our front entrance, HP3 9RY . If you let us know prior to arrival we will try to ensure a space is reserved in advance of your arrival.

Please note that the cark park is pay and display but very reasonably priced at the current time.

COACH drivers please use HP3 9RW to reach our coach park at the rear of the mill.

From M25 Junction 20 via the A41 From the roundabout at junction 20 take the A41 northwards exiting at the first junction. Turn right at the roundabout beneath the dual carriageway and follow the road down the hill to the traffic light junction with the A4251 London Road. Turn right on to London Road and then take the second left on to Durrant’s Hill Road. Cross the River Gade at the traffic light controlled bridge and the car park for the visitor centre is immediately on the left.

Having parked, the pedestrian entrance to the mill is a short walk back across Durrant’s Hill Road over the River Gade and left down Fourdrinier Way. For visitors who would have difficulty walking 100 metres, there are two disabled parking spaces at the mill entrance on Fourdrinier Way. Please phone in advance to secure a space.

From M1 Junction 8 via A414 Exit the M1 at Junction 8 on to the A414 heading towards Hemel Hempstead town centre. Keep heading straight on at the next four roundabouts until you reach the downhill section that leads you to The Plough roundabout. Turn left here and then left again at the first mini-roundabout on to Lawn Lane. Proceed along to the first set of traffic lights and turn right on to Durrant’s Hill Road. The car park for visitors is on the right just before the traffic lights that control access across the River Gade. Having parked, the pedestrian entrance to the mill is a short walk back across Durrant’s Hill Road over the River Gade and left down Fourdrinier Way. For visitors who would have difficulty walking 100 metres, there are two disabled parking spaces at the mill entrance on Fourdrinier Way.

From A4146 – Leighton Buzzard Road Approach Hemel Hempstead through Gadebridge Park (A4146). Travel straight across the next two roundabouts and a traffic light controlled junction until you come to The Plough Roundabout. Turn right at the first mini-roundabout, left at the second one and then right at the third one on to the A414, Two Waters Way. At the next major traffic light junction turn left on the the A4251 London Road. Take the second left on to Durrant’s Hill Road. Cross the River Gade at the traffic light controlled bridge and the car park for the visitor centre is immediately on the left. Having parked, the pedestrian entrance to the mill is a short walk back across Durrant’s Hill Road over the River Gade and left down Fourdrinier Way. For visitors who would have difficulty walking 100 metres, there are two disabled parking spaces at the mill entrance on Fourdrinier Way.

From A4251 Kings Langley From Kings Langley follow the A4251 to the traffic light controlled junction with Rucklers Lane & Red Lion Lane (railway bridge overhead). Carry straight on across the next two roundabouts and through the traffic light controlled junction at Weymouth Street (Kent Brushes and Dunelm Mill on your right). Take the second right into Durrant’s Hill Road. Cross the River Gade at the traffic light controlled bridge and the car park for the visitor centre is immediately on the left. Having parked, the pedestrian entrance to the mill is a short walk back across Durrant’s Hill Road over the River Gade and left down Fourdrinier Way. For visitors who would have difficulty walking 100 metres, there are two disabled parking spaces at the mill entrance on Fourdrinier Way.

By Public Transport Trains run every 30 minutes to Apsley Station on the West Coast Mainline (Euston to Birmingham). Frogmore Mill is a 15 minute walk for the Station along the London Road. Upon exiting the Station turn left to the footpath that runs down to London Road. Turn left again along London Road and walk past the mini-roundabout, past Kent brushes and Dunelm Mill then take the next right into White Lion Street. At the end of this short road turn right and then left after 30 metres to reach the entrance to Frogmore Mill.

The No 500 bus passes along the London Road in Apsley. Stops are either side of Durrant’s Hill Road. The No 2 Bus and the 321 both pass along Lawn Lane and stop near to the top of Durrant’s Hill Road. Frogmore Mill is a 5 minute walk from any of these bus stops.

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