This water powered site (with operational water powered machinery still in use despite the introduction of steam power in the late 18th century), represents a quite unique and complete historic survival. This polygon begins at the weirs on the Porter Brook where the flow of water is diverted into its head goit and controlled by a wooden shuttle. 1891 and 1851 map evidence shows the flow was supplemented by the flow of the Lescar Wheels' tail goit. The head race then takes a course behind and under properties on Sharrow Vale Road before entering Wilson's Dam. The pentrough and overshot water wheel are contained within the mill buildings which are of stone and brick construction. Included in the complex are coopers shop, stables, fan room, original snuff grinding machinery and counting house. The tail goit of the mill ensures adequate fall of water by entering a culvert beneath the Porter Brook and then running some distance to the east before rejoining the main stream just above the Stalker Weir - and arrangement thought to be quite unique (Crossley 1989). "This is an early [Duke of] Norfolk wheel, certainly in use by 1604, and possibly the 'wheel at Sharrow Head' mentioned in 1588-9" (Crossley 1989). The site was engaged in the cutlery trades for the first 150 or so years of its recorded history and was still in this function when first operated by the Wilson family (who still operate the site) in the person of Joseph Wilson in the mid 1740s. Over the next ten years the mill goits are recorded as being enlarged and it is possible that the unique tail goit system was introduced at around this time (it is first recorded in a Fairbank plan of 1757). The Wilson's operated the mill as tenants until purchasing the property outright in 1798. "an outstandingly important water powered complex (whose) early 18th century machinery is complete and in use. It is also unique" (Department for National Heritage quoted in SCC 2000) Invisible legibility of earlier landscape.