Pakenham Watermill

The parish of Pakenham is unique in Britain in having both a working water mill and a working windmill.

The 18th C water mill, now owned by the Suffolk Building Preservation Trust, is on a Domesday site. Here, for almost 1000 years, millers have been using the simple technology of water power to produce stone-ground wholemeal flour from locally grown wheat. The mill is maintained and operated by a team of dedicated volunteers who continue the tradition.

Water from Pakenham Fen collects in the beautiful mill pond to turn the 16 foot high iron water-wheel that drives the mill-stones which turn the wheat into flour. The friendly guide will show you how the mill works, how to hoist sacks of wheat to the top of the mill, what the damsel does, the 1904 Blackstone oil engine, and much more besides.

In the former miller's house next door you can buy wholemeal flour ground at the mill, souvenirs, ice creams and soft drinks.

There is a picnic area with pleasant walks beside the mill-pond, a beautiful setting with excellent opportunities for taking photographs, sketching and painting - or just to enjoy the view!