Bourne Mill Receives Funding for Restoration Work

Bourne Mill has been closed to the public since late spring 2025, but once the work is complete it will become a flexible heritage and community space where people can connect with Colchester’s rich heritage, local landscape and natural environment. The project will create new opportunities for learning, volunteering, community involvement and heritage skills development.

Leigh Freeman, General Manager for the Essex Portfolio of Properties said: “We are grateful to receive this funding from Historic England, which will help secure the future of Bourne Mill, one of Colchester's most cherished historic buildings. This investment will enable us to carry out vital conservation work while we work with the community to consider how we use this special place in new ways for local people to connect with the site's remarkable history and surrounding landscape."

"Bourne Mill means a great deal to many people. Our ambition is not only to conserve this important heritage asset, but to create a welcoming community resource that connects people with both heritage and nature and provides meaningful community benefit."

Louise Brennan, Director of Regions, Historic England, said: “Historic buildings are an important part of what gives places across England their character and identity, and they can be powerful assets for the communities around them. By investing in buildings at risk, we have an opportunity not only to protect important heritage, but to unlock their potential, breathe new life into historic places and showcase what makes communities distinctive.

“This funding will support urgent conservation needs while helping projects move towards sustainable futures, whether through continued use, new uses or bringing valued buildings back into active use. We are pleased to support projects across England that demonstrate how investment in heritage can help create stronger, more distinctive and more vibrant places for the future.”

Work to restore the building is due to start in spring 2027, with survey work and preparation taking place this winter.

The restoration project represents a significant investment in Colchester's heritage. Alongside the £224,200 grant from Historic England, the National Trust is investing a further £150,000 of charitable funds into the project, helping to safeguard an important historic landmark while creating new opportunities for community involvement, learning, heritage skills development and connection with nature and the city's heritage.