Scrooby Mill, also known historically as Monk's Mill or the Historic Wolsey Water Mill is a former water powered mill fed by the River Ryton. The structure dates back to the 17th Century, with stonework found within the building from that period. As with most such sites, no one can know when milling started here but it was certainly part of the Archbishop of York's estate, then passing to the Sandys family through a bit of corrupt dealing and later the Galways of Serlby.

In 1930 the Galway estate sold it to Barber, Walker & Co, owners of the local mines. Some time around 1943 milling ceased and the buildings became derelict. However they were bought by Gp Capt Gilbert Insall VC as a retirement project and carefully restored as a home.

Insall is an amazing character and you can read the full details on Wikipedia or Victoriacrossonline (although this incorrectly says he lived in Yorkshire). He was an early Royal Flying Corps pilot in 1915 and won a VC for shooting down an enemy, then crashing himself, before fixing his plane and taking off again. After being shot down again he was captured, but escaped on the third attempt and got home to Britain for which he also got an MC. He stayed in the RAF as a career and while flying over Wiltshire discovered the famous 'Woodhenge'.

In 1969 he was clearly targeted for a burglary and his medals were stolen from the mill. This caused him to nearly die from a heart attack, and Insall spent several weeks in hospital. Amazingly, the Police got them back early 1970 and David Lee was given ten years in prison. Insall died in 1972.

Both the Mill House and the Monk's Mill and its associated wall containing the mill race are Grade 2 listed buildings.