Voted one of Britain’s best landmark sites by BBC’s Countryfile magazine, Pakenham Water Mill is the oldest surviving flour mill in Suffolk, using simple water technology to produce stone-ground wholemeal flour. It’s up there on our list of ‘must-sees’ as it’s only around 25 minutes from Wild & West farm, easy on the budget, with something on offer for all ages. Let us whet your appetite…

Go for a browse
Apart from special event days, admission to the grounds is free; you might want to take the circular walk past an orchard of traditional fruit trees and on to a wildlife area where children can hunt for frogs, toads, slow worms and insects. There’s also a well-stocked gift shop where you’ll find souvenirs and, of course, Pakenham’s own milled flour.

Get a guided tour
Time your visit right and you can have a guided tour of the mill (if you visit on a Thursday, between around 10.00-11.30am you’re likely to see the mill actually working and the flour being produced and bagged up for sale). You should also take a look at the old kitchens in the Miller’s House displayed as they were in the past.

Check seasonal opening times and see if your planned visit coincides with special events such as Wildlife Day, Vintage Power or Traditional Crafts Day.

A little of what you fancy…
The Mill Tearoom is popular with locals and tourists alike. Enjoy tea, coffee (or something stronger if you wish!), delicious home-made cakes or a light lunch – you can take your refreshments out to the garden if the weather’s willing and enjoy the tranquil setting by the millpond.

Want more?
History lovers will delight in finding out more in The Story of Pakenham Water Mill by David Eddershaw, a historian and volunteer Curator of the mill, available to buy in the gift shop. It reveals the mill’s links with Abbots and Prime Ministrs, a national lottery scandal, bread riots, war and peace, poverty and prosperity over nearly a thousand years. 

Please check their website about opening times and Facebook for all the latest details and events

pakenhamwatermill.org.uk