Nederland - Winterswijk, Berenschot’s Watermolen

Berenschot's Watermolen is located on the river Boven-Slinge and was built in 1749. An mention from 1652 refers to the predecessor of the current mill. Originally, the complex consisted of two mills: a corn mill (now Berenschot's Watermolen) and an oil mill on the other side of the stream.

Between 1652 and 1718, the two mills were owned by the Van Eerde family, owners of the Hazezate Plekenpol (a manor or fortified farmhouse). A new owner had the present mill building built in 1749. Probably the old mill had fallen into too much disrepair. In 1848, the oil mill collapsed and was never rebuilt.

In 1911, G.W. Berenschot bought the corn mill, to which it owes its name. In 1960, the mill fell out of use after a major flood and lasted until the 1980s. All those years, there was talk of a restoration, but no action was taken. By the end of 1984, the time had come and the mill was given a major overhaul. Between 1988 and 1991, part of the mill building was restored and converted into a restaurant.

The mill/restaurant (a Dutch national monument) is still owned by the Berenschot family.