This is the oldest surviving flour mill in Suffolk, where once there were many. There has been a watermill in Pakenham for almost a thousand years, and for all that time millers on this site have been using the simple technology of water power to produce stone-ground wholemeal flour for local people. Owned today by Historic Suffolk, a team of dedicated volunteers continues this long tradition.
Streams coming from parishes to the west of Pakenham merge and are channelled across Pakenham Fen to feed into the beautiful millpond. This water provides the power to turn the mill’s great iron waterwheel and drive the millstones.
Flour milling goes on all the year round. We are open to visitors during the summer months. Inside the mill all the machinery is visible (and safely guarded) and a friendly guide will show you round and explain how it all works. If you come on a Thursday morning between about 10.00 and 11.30 you are 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.
Outside you will find the garden at the back of the mill where you can just sit and enjoy the tranquil setting by the millpond or stroll along the circular walk past a recently planted orchard of traditional fruit trees and around the pond coming back on the other bank, where there is a wildlife area particularly attractive to children who like to hunt for frogs, toads, slow worms and insects.
Best of all there is our delightful tearoom where you can enjoy tea, coffee and home-made scones and cakes, or a ‘miller’s lunch’ (and we are licensed too). Why not take these out to enjoy in the garden?
Please note that only Guide Dogs are allowed in the mill.
Streams coming from parishes to the west of Pakenham merge and are channelled across Pakenham Fen to feed into the beautiful millpond. This water provides the power to turn the mill’s great iron waterwheel and drive the millstones.
Flour milling goes on all the year round. We are open to visitors during the summer months. Inside the mill all the machinery is visible (and safely guarded) and a friendly guide will show you round and explain how it all works. If you come on a Thursday morning between about 10.00 and 11.30 you are 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.
Outside you will find the garden at the back of the mill where you can just sit and enjoy the tranquil setting by the millpond or stroll along the circular walk past a recently planted orchard of traditional fruit trees and around the pond coming back on the other bank, where there is a wildlife area particularly attractive to children who like to hunt for frogs, toads, slow worms and insects.
Best of all there is our delightful tearoom where you can enjoy tea, coffee and home-made scones and cakes, or a ‘miller’s lunch’ (and we are licensed too). Why not take these out to enjoy in the garden?
Please note that only Guide Dogs are allowed in the mill.
We offer guided tours to small groups with the wheels turning every Sat/Sun afternoon April to September
and we mill flour every Thursday morning throughout the year.
We offer tea/coffee with scones or cakes at these times.
We can also offer an illustrated talk to clubs and societies about the history and modern activities of the
Watermill and can host large groups to visit for a guided tour and full catering.
We also run 3 Open Days each year –
Wildlife 3 May 2026,
Vintage Power 14 June 2026, and
Traditional Crafts 13 September 2026
- £5 entry, children free, parking free.
and we mill flour every Thursday morning throughout the year.
We offer tea/coffee with scones or cakes at these times.
We can also offer an illustrated talk to clubs and societies about the history and modern activities of the
Watermill and can host large groups to visit for a guided tour and full catering.
We also run 3 Open Days each year –
Wildlife 3 May 2026,
Vintage Power 14 June 2026, and
Traditional Crafts 13 September 2026
- £5 entry, children free, parking free.
WINTER: (including Guided Tours)
8th January – 26th March incl.
1st October – 17th December incl.
Thursdays only 9.30am – 12.30pm Refreshments available from 10.00, but not in December.
SUMMER:
Thursday 2nd April – Sunday 27th September
Saturdays & Sundays 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Thursdays 9:30am – 12:30pm
CLOSED Bank Holiday Mondays
FREE admission during opening times for Refreshments, Grounds, Parking (except on Special Event Days)
Guided tours will operate during ALL opening times until 45 minutes before closing.
Prices include Gift Aid: Adult £8.00
If you are not a UK Tax payer – Adults £7.20
Children are FREE
8th January – 26th March incl.
1st October – 17th December incl.
Thursdays only 9.30am – 12.30pm Refreshments available from 10.00, but not in December.
SUMMER:
Thursday 2nd April – Sunday 27th September
Saturdays & Sundays 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Thursdays 9:30am – 12:30pm
CLOSED Bank Holiday Mondays
FREE admission during opening times for Refreshments, Grounds, Parking (except on Special Event Days)
Guided tours will operate during ALL opening times until 45 minutes before closing.
Prices include Gift Aid: Adult £8.00
If you are not a UK Tax payer – Adults £7.20
Children are FREE