Donkey Wheel

Once Alexander had gone home, we drove over to Grey's Court, near Henley upon Thames. We were too late for a house tour but we had a wander around the beautiful gardens and discovered this medieval donkey wheel.

This very rare, enormous wheel was turned by a donkey, who would walk inside the wheel, (like a hamster!) to draw the water from a well, 200 feet deep. The donkey was taught to stop once the bucket was at the top.  He would be turned around and walked in the opposite direction to lower the bucket into the water again. 

The bucket is hanging just behind the shaft but I couldn't get it in shot. 

We will definitely go back for another visit, as the house is steeped in history.