Saxtead Green Post Mill — Suffolk’s Wind-Powered Past

Turning Through Centuries of Craft

Standing proudly beside the village green, Saxtead Green Post Mill is one of the best-preserved working windmills in England.
Dating from the late 18th century, it was built to grind locally grown grain into flour — a vital part of rural Suffolk life.
Today, under the care of English Heritage, the mill continues to turn with the wind, linking visitors to generations of millers and farmers.

It’s a moving monument — quite literally — to ingenuity and tradition.

A Mill Built to Move with the Wind

Unlike later tower mills, a post mill pivots entirely on a central post so its sails can face the wind.
The Saxtead Green Post Mill, largely rebuilt in the 1790s, stands on this ingenious design, allowing the whole body to rotate by hand.
However, its mechanism remains remarkably complete — from the wooden cogs and drive shafts to the great millstones that once fed the local community.

Therefore, it represents both practicality and craftsmanship at their finest.

Exploring Saxtead Green Post Mill
1. The Exterior and Setting

Set on open grass beside Saxtead Green, the white-painted mill contrasts beautifully with Suffolk’s wide skies.
You can walk around its sturdy timber frame, admire its sails, and see how the tailpole was used to turn the mill into the wind.

2. Inside the Mill

Climb the narrow wooden steps to explore three floors of machinery.
You’ll find grinding stones, hoists, and flour bins — all still operational on open days.
In addition, panels explain how wind power was harnessed long before electricity and engines.

3. Living Heritage

Run by English Heritage volunteers, the mill occasionally turns its sails on windy weekends.
Visitors can experience the sights, sounds, and smells of traditional milling in action.

Learn more at the English Heritage website

A Survivor of Suffolk’s Rural Past

Windmills once dotted the East Anglian landscape, but few remain in such fine condition.
Saxtead’s has survived storms, disuse, and even war, thanks to generations of careful maintenance.
Furthermore, its continued presence beside the green keeps the rhythm of rural life alive.

It’s not just a building — it’s Suffolk’s heartbeat caught in timber and wind.

Visiting Saxtead Green Post Mill
How to Get There

Address: Saxtead Green, Framlingham, Suffolk IP13 9QQ

By Car: On A1120 between Stowmarket and Yoxford; free parking nearby

By Train: Wickham Market Station (≈ 6 miles)

By Bus: Services from Framlingham and Stowmarket

Opening Hours & Admission

Weekends and bank holidays (April–September)

Entry fee applies; free for English Heritage members

Facilities

Picnic area beside the green

Small shop and information display

Limited access for wheelchairs (ground floor only)

Nearby Attractions

Framlingham Castle — Iconic fortress overlooking the market town

Leiston Abbey — Peaceful monastic ruins among meadows

Thorpeness — Quirky seaside village with the “House in the Clouds”

Easton Farm Park — Family-friendly heritage farm

Together, they create the Suffolk Heritage and Countryside Trail.

Why Visit Saxtead Green Post Mill?

The Saxtead Green Post Mill experience offers:

Authentic 18th-century engineering

Picturesque rural setting beside a village green

Family-friendly educational visits

Free-turning sails on open days

Whether you’re a history lover, photographer, or day-tripper, this charming windmill brings Suffolk’s heritage to life.
It’s not just a relic — it’s a working echo of England’s wind-powered past.