There has been a mill on this site since 1198, during the reign of Richard 1 (Richard the Lionheart) when Pickering locals were instructed to go to Dalby Forest to cut down oak trees to be brought here to build a mill. This was firstly a Paper Mill, likely making parchment paper for the monks at various local monasteries, located on Paper Mill Lane. Several hundred years later it changed use to make flour and the road name was changed to Mill Lane. At the time, it was called Vivis Mill and its importance to local life was and remains reflected in numerous local sites including Vivis Lane, Vivis Walk, Vivis Park. Vivers Mill is one of three mills in Pickering, the others being High Mill and Low Mill, but is the only one to retain its milling equipment, with the Ryedale Farmers still producing flour through the 1960’s. It has a working 16ft diameter cast iron wheel driving various cogs and a central shaft running vertically to the 4th floor which houses the winding gear. We have regular visits from a family of otters which, while mostly nocturnal, have been seen at various times during the day as well. (See photo taken in the wheelhouse)

Located in idyllic country setting, overlooking the mill stream and open fields, but only 5-7 minutes walk to all the amenities of Pickering town centre with numerous places to eat and drink including fine dining, Chinese and Indian cuisine, to takeaways, quick snacks and three fish and chip shops. Pickering is well known as the home of the world famous North Yorkshire Moors Railway, within easy walking distance. Whitby, Scarborough and York are an easy drive and all within 30 - 40 minutes. Castle Howard is less than 30 minutes away. Eden Camp, Flamingoland, Dalby Forest and the Heartbeat favourite, Goathland, are all within easy reach. You can walk into open countryside from the front door or be on the moors within a few minutes drive. Also, Ryedale swimming pool is just a few hundred yards.