Alderford Water Mill, Alderford Street, Sible Hedingham, CO9 3HZ OS Map Ref: TR785339.
The Mill is owned by Essex County Council and opened to the public by the Friends of Alderford Mill (FOAM).
It can be found standing astride the river Colne at the bottom of Alderford Street.
The water wheel is fully operational and can now drive one restored set of stones.
Wholemeal flour has been produced on these stones for the first time in over 70 years and demonstrations of the grinding process will be held on some open days.
To add interest for our visitors we sometimes arrange ‘Theme Days’ and we have a display of photos and documents relating to the working history of the mill.
A comprehensive guide book to the mill is available to purchase. The Mill is open to the public on the second Sunday of each month from April to October.
You will always receive a warm welcome from the Mill Guides who are available to talk about the history, the machinery and the milling process.
Light refreshments are available on open days. There is also a Craft Fair in October to raise funds towards restoration of the mill and the machinery.
Please note – there are no toilet facilities at the mill and wheelchair access is to the ground floor only.
Dogs are not allowed in the mill for safety reasons (except guide dogs)
Riverside Walk
Visitors can now use the new bridge beside the mill to enjoy a pleasant stroll along this path,
which has access for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The path extends along the back of Summerfields to the
boundary with the new Earls Garden development and can be accessed at two points from Summerfields.
Later the path will be extended to exit at the river bridge in Station Road.
Hedingham Mills Walk
The start of this walk is opposite the mill and follows a route near the river to HULLS MILL,
the next mill on the river Colne, and beyond.
We hope you will pay us a visit and if it inspires you to join FOAM and help look after this ancient historic building please talk to one of the mill guides.
For more information, please see our website at www.alderfordmill.org.uk
and watch the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBZ53-h1pyA
Also worth a visit is http://www.visitparks.co.uk/places/alderford-water-mill/