Historic Bardwell Windmill in Suffolk on the market

With a cottage, flint barn and workshop, the charming west Suffolk landmark has plenty of potential.

Opportunities to own a piece of Suffolk history rarely come along... but here's one. Bardwell Mill, which dates from 1823, is for sale for the first time in almost 40 years.

Bardwell Mill c1880. (Image: Bedfords)

The Wheeler family had owned it only a few brief months when, in October 1987, the Great Storm ripped through the county and tore the sails off the mill. The long job began to restore the Grade II* listed building to a working mill once again, with help from the Friends of Bardwell Mill, English Heritage and Suffolk County Council.

The cap was renewed in 2000, the sails and fan tail replaced between 2010 and 2014, when all the doors and windows were also renewed in keeping with the original building. All the flour milling machinery has been overhauled, including stones made of the French Burr. The north set can be turned by wind, the south set by electric motor.

Bardwell Windmill is at the heart of Bardwell village. (Image: Bedfords)

Family-run Bardwell Windmill is at the heart of the village, with its cottage, workshop and retail barn and store, where Woosters Bakery sells the traditional and artisan bread, pastries and cakes for which it is so well known.

The cottage has four bedrooms, sitting room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room and shower room, all in good repair but with potential for updating. A large, red-brick Victorian building at the rear of the mill is currently being used as a well equipped workshop and has ceiling heights and electric supply suitable for larger than typical domestic machinery.

Bardwell Windmill is a working mill. (Image: Francis Ambler)

Bardwell Mill sits in 0.25 acres, with space for parking and an enclosed garden. Bardwell village is in a beautiful part of the rural northwest of the county, just 10 miles from Bury St Edmunds and eight miles from Diss. It has a pub, sports and social club with the Grumpy Goat restaurant, local cricket and football teams, and a primary school.

The mill and all its associated buildings have enormous charm and offer excellent retail and residential potential for new owners. It's a true Suffolk gem.

Bardwell Mill, School Lane, Bardwell IP31 1AD

Guide price: £650,000 (freehold)

Viewing: Bedfords, Bury St Edmunds T: 01284 769999 bedfords.co.uk

Bardwell Windmill has a cosy cottage. (Image: Francis Ambler)Bardwell Windmill has a four-bedroom cottage. (Image: Francis Ambler)