The Mill is located on the seaward side of a dam across a tidal river. When the tide comes in, it pushes open one-way gates and fills up the millpond. When the tide turns and starts to go out again, it slowly uncovers the waterwheel, but the sea gates are closed, trapping the water in the millpond so the level in the millpond stays at the high tide level.

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When the tide has dropped to well below the waterwheel axle, the sluice gate can be raised. Water from the millpond strikes the lower blades of the waterwheel, spinning it round and allowing the milling to begin.