Pakenham Water Mill

About the museum

A watermill is believed to have stood at Pakenham for around a thousand years, and flour has been ground on the site since before the Norman Conquest. Pakenham Water Mill is the oldest surviving flour mill in Suffolk. Streams from the parishes to the west join across Pakenham Fen and feed the millpond, whose water turns a breast-shot waterwheel that drives the millstones. No electricity is used in the milling, and stone-ground wholemeal flour is still produced all year.

The mill is owned by Historic Suffolk, a charity that also looks after Little Hall in Lavenham and Thelnetham Windmill, and it is run by volunteers. Running costs are covered by flour sales, admission charges and takings from the tea room and shop. The mill’s story is told in a book by its volunteer curator, David Eddershaw.

Visitors are shown round by a guide, who explains the machinery. On Thursday mornings the mill is often working. The old kitchens in the Miller’s House are displayed as they once were, and outside there is a garden by the millpond, a circular walk with a young orchard of traditional fruit trees and a wildlife area. The mill has been named one of the best landmark sites in Britain by BBC Countryfile Magazine.

Highlights

• Oldest surviving flour mill in Suffolk
• Breast-shot waterwheel driving stone-ground flour production
• Guided tours of the visible machinery
• Old kitchens displayed in the Miller’s House
• Tea room, millpond garden and wildlife area

Permanent exhibitions

• Working watermill – The visible and guarded milling machinery driven by a breast-shot waterwheel, explained by a guide.
• Miller’s House kitchens – Old kitchens displayed as they were in the past.

Operated by

Historic Suffolk

Admission & discounts

Standard admission is £7.20; the price with Gift Aid for UK taxpayers is £8.00. Refreshments, the grounds and parking are free during opening times, except on special event days. Cash and major credit and debit cards are accepted.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Only guide dogs are allowed inside the mill; other dogs may use the riverside walk from the car park. The mill asks visitors with disabilities to contact it for accessibility information.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The mill describes itself as a place for visitors of all ages and runs events and workshops. The wildlife area is popular with children looking for frogs, toads, slow worms and insects, and children are especially welcome on Thursday mornings in the summer holidays.

Getting there & parking

The mill is in Pakenham village, 6 miles east of Bury St Edmunds. Follow the brown signs from the A143.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

The licensed tea room in the Miller’s House serves tea, coffee, juice, beer, wine, cider, home-baked cakes and scones and a “miller’s lunch”; in summer it runs from a cabin in the courtyard. The gift shop sells souvenirs and the mill’s own stone-ground flour.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

The mill grounds can be hired for private functions; enquiries on 07354 760769.

Plan your visit