Alderford Water Mill, Sible Hedingham

National Mills weekend takes place every May, and it offers a great chance to get into steam and water mills across Essex. For some it’s one of the few chances to get it, whilst others, like Alderford Water Mill are open a few days a year – the afternoon of the second Sunday during the summer months for Alderford Water Mill.

As the mill only opened at 2pm, we popped into the Bird in Hand pub in Halstead en route for a drink. Looking at the menu and the happy diners, lunch there would have been an even better idea. However, landlord Shaun knows his beers and there is an ever changing roster of three ales to choose from, many local.

The mill is on Alderford Street, which is on the right as you enter Sible Hedingham from the south. It was a lovely sunny afternoon when we visited, and you can climb several flights of steps to get to the very top of the mill. There were plenty of guides on hand, some ham radio operators, and tea and coffee were available. Of course, it would have been rude not to have partaken!

Visit their website here.