Essex mills and churches

Essex has a number of mills of different kinds, including tower mills, water mills, tide mills and post mills. Some are in private ownership, whilst others are in the care of either Essex County Council or the National Trust. They all have very limited opening hours, but are open on a few weekends during the summer months, and often as part of the National Mills Weekend. You could visit a mill and the local church at the same time

Aythorpe Roding Post Mill
Sunday 28 July 2.00pm – 5.00pm cost: free
“Aythorpe Roding Post Mill is the largest remaining post mill in Essex, dating from around 1779. It is kept to wind by means of a fantail”. No longer in council ownership, and repairs underway, with no details of when/if open to the public in 2018. At the same time you could visit the Parish Church of St. Mary’s Aythorpe Roding
more details

Alderford Water Mill
Sunday July 14th 2.00pm – 5.00pm Sunday 11th August 2.00pm – 5.00pm cost: free
“Alderford Water Mill is a classic rural watermill last operated in the 1950’s. Undergoing restoration by Essex County Council, the mill features a working water wheel”. Open the second Sunday in the month May to November 2pm to 5pm. At the same time you may like to visit St Peter’s Parish Church in the nearby village of Sible Hedingham
more details

Bourne Mill
Bourne Road, Colchester
Thursday 2.00pm – 5.00pm, Sunday 2.00pm -5.00pm throughout July and August
Owned by the National Trust, “Bourne Mill is set in tranquil grounds next to a millpond and a bubbling stream. The mill still has a working waterwheel, which was originally used for milling flour”. Open Weds-Sundays April to October. At the same time you may like to visit St James the Great church in Colchester town centre.
more details

Finchingfield Post Mill
Sunday 21st July & Sunday 18th August 2.00pm – 5.00pm cost: free
“Finchingfield Post Mill is the smallest of the remaining post mills in Essex, built around 1756. This mill has just the one pair of stones and is tailpole winded”. Open April to September, third Sunday in the month 2 to 5pm. At the same time you may like to visit the Parish Church of< a href="http://www.finchingfield.org.uk/church.htm" target="_blank"> St. John the Baptist just a short walk from the mill.
more details

Thaxted John Webb’s Windmill
Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm from Easter to end of September.
“The only remaining windmill in Thaxted. The largest and most advanced of all the Thaxted mills, it worked for a hundred years”. Ppen to the public 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, from Easter to end of September. At the same time you may like to visit Thaxted Church – one of the grandest churches in Essex
more details

Mountnessing Post Mill
Sunday July 21st 2.00pm – 5.00pm & Sunday August 18th 2.00pm – 5.00pm cost: free
“Mountnessing Post Mill Built in 1807 and worked by the Agnis family until about 1933. The mill has been restored to working order”. Open the third Sunday in the month April to September 2pm – 5pm. At the same time you may like to visit the Parish Church of St. Giles
more details

Stock Tower Mill
Sunday July 14th 2.00pm – 5.00pm & Sunday 11th August 2.00pm – 5.00pm cost: free
“Stock Tower Mill is a fine example, in working order, of the millwright’s craft of the 1890’s; although the mill was built in 1816”. Open the second Sunday in the month April to September 2pm – 5pm At the same time you may like to visit the Parish Church of All Saints.
more details

Thorrington Tide Mill
Sunday July 28th 2.00pm – 5.00pm cost: free
“Thorrington Tide Mill is a picturesque weather-boarded mill on four floors built around 1830. Its water source was replaced twice a day by the incoming tide. Restored to working order”. Open the last Sunday in the month April to September, 2pm to 5pm At the same time you may like to visit
St.Magdalen the Parish Church for the village
more details