Monk Bretton Priory was founded in c.1154 (Rigold 1968, xi). Adam fitz Swane made a gift of the manor of Bretton, Lunda and two mills (Umpleby 2000, 145). The "water-mill near the monastery" is referred to as part of the monasteries property at the time of the dissolution (Hunter 1831, 274). There are references to corn sent to Abbey Mill from the 16th to 19th century. In 1878 the mill and surrounding land was bought by Barnsley Borough Council for the development of a sewage farm (Umpleby 2000, 145-6). The mill fell into disrepair but has since been redeveloped as a pub. Parts of the tail race are still in water but the head race and an overflow channel are no longer visible as the river was straightened and this land is now part of the Dearne Valley Park.