Photograph © Jim Woodward-Nutt

Drinkstone Windmill

Location

Grid reference: TL 965 623
OS sheet: 155
Postcode: IP30 9SP
Between Woolpit and Drinkstone, off A14 between Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket.

An ancient post mill, dated 1689, but probably much older, which, unusually, turns clockwise. Now listed Grade 1 because of the amount of 16th century timbers surviving. Buck restored in 2005-7 with an English Heritage grant. There is also a smock mill, which dates from around 1800 and was built on top of an earlier horse mill. The smock mill sails were removed when it was converted to engine power around 1900. A remarkable site, containing milling technologies from the 17th to the 20th century, some of which is still workable.

Opening times

2011: 3, 11, 17 and 24 April; 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 May; 5, 12, 19 and 26 June; 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 July; 7, 14, 21 and 28 August, 4, 11, 18 and 25 August; bank holidays: 22 and 25 April, 2 and 30 May and 29 August. Heritage Open Days to be confirmed.

National Mills Weekend opening times

Saturday and Sunday, 13.00-17.00.

Contact

Christopher Rowe, tel. 07843 074700.

Web site

www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/grant-aided-properties/drinkstone-post-mill-drinkstone-ip30-9sp/