Alderford Mill

A lovely example of the typical, unpretentious, white, weatherboarded, red roofed, classic Essex water-mill. The present mill which was built in the 18th century, is the last in a long line dating back to Domesday, and was operated by the Rawlinson family right up to the 1960’s. It was bought by Essex County Council in 1994 and they have now restored it to operational status with all new or restored machinery including a new working waterwheel and all drive shafts, plus other equipment added as the mill changed its role during the 19th and 20th century. Inside the mill, it was whitewashed to provide as much light as possible to reduce the need for naked lights, which in the dusty atmosphere might have blown the whole place sky high, there were originally 5 sets of stones. Two were operated by the wheel and a further 3 were added when steam power was introduced. Finally a diesel engine replaced steamand operated a number of roller milling machines. In the 1880’s the introduction of roller milling technology from Hungary marked the beginning of the end for the water-mills. Although wholemeal flour continued to be made by stone milling, a pair of stones could only produce about 1 hundredweight of flour an hour whereas a roller milling machine could produce about 5 times that. Outside, the mill has been beautifully re-roofed and repainted.

The "museum" inside also includes a display of historic and restoration photographs and old historic documents.

 

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