Abbey Mill is thought to have foundations dating from the 12th Century, when the River Avon was diverted through the town. The present building is much later though, having been built in 1793. The east side of the mill was added later still in the 19th century. The fictional "Abel Fletcher's Mill" in Dinah Craik's novel "John Halifax, Gentleman" is based on this mill and the fictional town of "Norton Bury" is based on Tewkesbury.