Bourne Mill

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Important notice -

Please note that due to circumstances beyond our control Bourne Mill will REMAIN CLOSED on Sat 17th September. Please do accept our apologies. We will be open from 12.30 on Sunday 18th.

Picturesque watermill with working waterwheel

More about this place

Cream tea at Trerice

We're open - come and see us throughout 2016 

We are open from 11am to 5pm, Wednesday through to Sunday and from 11am to 4pm from 28 September to 30 October. Come along and see what's going on this spring. You'll be able to explore Colchester's industrial past through the Mill and then relax by the pond enjoying a piece of cake and a drink.

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Bourne Mill

Things to see and do

The mysterious female face on the wall at Bourne Mill with her distinctive plaits but her eyes and nose have been chiseled beyond recognition

Enjoy the mill 

Enjoy your day with us: from feeding the ducks with our special food and bug-hunting, starting a working water wheel and trying out the pedal powered fulling stocks to tucking in to naughty scone with your picnic, there's plenty of fun in and around the water at the mill. Check out the events too.

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Bourne Mill

What's on

Upcoming events

Sorry, there are no upcoming events at this place.

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Bourne Mill

History

Unpick the history of Bourne Mill

Archive image of Bourne Mill

Explore the past 

With a history dating back over 1,000 years, through the dissolution of the monasteries and peaceful pursuits of fishing and smelly industry of fulling and dusty milling, our special Mill has something to interest everyone.

The Lucas coat of arms over the door of Bourne Mill

Sir Thomas Lucas 

Sir Thomas Lucas was out to impress when he built Bourne Mill in 1591 having held a number of offices at court. He was a formidable figure in Colchester and known to have an 'imperious and violent temper.'

A piece of old Bay cloth from HollyTrees Museum archive which looks brown and moth eaten

Colchester White Bay 

Colchester was associated with the production of woollen textile fabrics between the 16th and 18th Centuries. Bourne Mill was at various times the site for spinning wool yarns and Fulling woven woollen cloths (production of wool felts). These fabrics became so well known that they carried a trademarked Seal of quality. The Colchester wool trade began to decline midway through the 18th century as it moved north to Yorkshire.

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Bourne Mill

Our work

male air cadets in their grey uniform drilling nails into the wooden frame of the fulling stocks

Our work at Bourne Mill 

Repairing the water wheel and maintaining the stonework are just two of our ongoing tasks. Find out more about the work we do to care for the mill.

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Bourne Mill

Learning

A young girl writes carefully with a quill onto paper

Schemes of Lessons at Bourne Mill 

Bourne Mill is the perfect setting for school groups to cover many areas of the curriculum. We have started by focusing on KS2 but know that our site can cover all ages and aid teachers in reaching attainment targets.

Schemes of Lessons
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