There were nine mills in Woodbridge at the time that Buttrum’s brick tower mill was built in the 1830s. Now only two working mills remaining, Buttrum’s Mill and The Tide Mill, a visit to either is a fascinating experience. Both are in excellent order and can even see the flour being ground at Buttrums and purchase the result.

Buttrums Mill

Well-known Suffolk millers, the Buttrum’s took over the mill in the 1860s, George Buttrum introducing an auxiliary steam drive in 1886 allowing work to continue whatever the weather. Buttrum’s Mill worked until 1928, when the stones turned for the last time. The tallest surviving windmill in Suffolk, the tower is built of red brick, laid in Flemish bond. It is 24ft 6ins outside in diameter at ground level with two feet thick walls. The height to the top of the brickwork is nearly 50ft and to the top of the cap 61ft.
You can now see whole meal flour being ground and purchase flour and bread mixes.

Times of Opening Saturday,Sundays and Bank Holidays
from May to the end of September, inclusive - 1.00pm to 5.00pm.

Admission charges
To ground floor and display free
For Guided tours
Adults £2.50 Children free

The Tide Mill

Tide mills are reliant on the movement of the tides and as such operating hours are short, just two hours either side of the low tide, a maximum of twenty eight hours a week The incoming tide opens lock-type gates in the banks of the pond and fills the pond. As the tide falls, the first out-flowing water closes the gates which are held in position by the pressure of the trapped water. Once the water wheel is completely clear of tidal water, the sluice gates can be opened so that the released water rushes out turning the wheel and in turn the machinery.

There has been a mill here since the twelfth century, the first reference dated 1170, giving one Baldwin of Ufford easier access to the building. During the middle ages, the mill was owned by the Augustinian Canons, the tithe of the mill in 1340 being valued at three shillings per annum.

Two hundred years later the sea-water mill - molendinium aquaticum marinum - was described as being in a ruined state. With the dissolution of Woodbridge Priory the mill reverted to the Crown who promptly sold it to Sir John Wingfield, a member of the local gentry. With the death of Sir John the Tide Mill became the property of Queen Elizabeth who, in 1564, granted it as part of the manor of Woodbridge Late Priory, to Thomas Seckford.

In 1792 the present building was constructed, improvements made to the quay and along with the creation of additional warehouse space. The work finished it went up for sale in January 1808. Advertised in ’The Bury Post’:

To be sold - situated at Woodbridge. A spacious quay with sufficient draft for ships of 100 tons and a capital and well constructed and much admired new tide mill, 3 stories high, stage area = 42 ft. Divided into stowages for 700 quarters of wheat + flour mill, cylinder, dressing machine, flour bins. Water wheel - 20ft diameter, 3 pairs French stones 4ft 6 ins diameter, and one pair of French stones 4ft diameter. The mill will cut 12 to 14 loads of corn per week.

By 1968 the Woodbridge Tide Mill was near collapse; and only through the efforts of a lot of dedicated enthusiasts did the slow and laborious task of renovation get under way. Work took fourteen years and now the Woodbridge Tide Mill is up and running again. Open to the public, a trip around the mill is a fascinating experience. There is much to see but do note the mill wheels only work for two hours either side of low tide.

Times of Opening

Easter - Saturday to Monday.
April weekends.
Every day from May to end September.
Weekends in October.
Times of opening. 11.00 am to 5.00 pm.

Admission charges:
Adults £2.00, Accompanied children £1.50