Beeleigh Steam Mill

Book Tickets Online

About

Beeleigh mill was a large flour mill on the river Chelmer near Maldon, Essex. It had two water wheels driving 10 stones (later 12), to which was added a separate building which housed a steam-powered beam engine driving five millstones. The main building housing the water-powered wheels burnt down in a fire in 1875.

The site, which is Grade II*, now comprises the building housing the steam engine and the drive gearing for its millstones, the brick housing for one of the waterwheels, and the two adjacent brick-lined barge docks used for loading flour for shipment to London.

The steam mill is divided into 2 rooms, separated by a brick partition. The smaller north-western part is full height and contains the complete iron, double-acting Wentworth compound steam beam engine which was installed in 1845. Alongside is an ‘Elephant’ boiler with 2 safety valves and firebox. It is the only surviving example of this type of boiler in England, though it was more popular in France and Belgium.

The ground floor of the larger room contains the drive gears including a circular-plan iron hurst with an iron upright shaft with great spur wheel, which drives each of the five pairs of stones.

The upper floor has the emplacements for the stones. The drive shafts are in place, but the stones themselves are no longer there.

Although not currently visible, a hide-out was built during WW2 under the floor of the steam mill for an auxiliary unit to hide should the enemy invade. Access was from a trapdoor in the building, with an escape route which came out in the tail-race tunnel from the nearer mill-race. After the war, this hide-out was filled in by the army.

The site today is open to the public on special guided tours which can be booked by appointment at https://beeleighmill.org.uk/.

Map & Directions

Beeleigh Steam Mill

Type:Industrial Heritage

Abbey Turning, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6LL

Tel: 0345 603 7624

Opening Times

* Open by appointment only - please contact the venue directly. Usually open for National Mills Weekend in May and Heritage Open Days in September

What's Nearby

  1. Three acres of riverside gardens in a picturesque and historic setting dating from the…

    0 miles away
  2. Beeleigh Falls is home to a series of water falls, locks and weirs on the Chelmer and…

    0.26 miles away
  3. Consists of meadow, rank vegetation, scrub trees, wet ditches and open water. A man-made…

    0.54 miles away
  1. Maldon Cemetery dates back to 1855 and the older parts of the cemetery are both havens…

    0.58 miles away
  2. This attractive site was formerly part of a garden & was donated to Maldon Town Council…

    0.59 miles away
  3. The site boasts one of the largest and best equipped children's play sites in the Maldon…

    0.61 miles away
  4. This Grade II Listed private home (not open to the public) was built in 1880 as a mansion…

    0.63 miles away
  5. St Giles' is a unique Grade II* Listed parish church dating from the late 11th century,…

    0.65 miles away
  6. A small children's play area accessible from Elizabeth Way and the Elms Farm development.

    0.72 miles away
  7. Part of the site is accessible via a boardwalk from the footpath leading to the bridge…

    0.77 miles away
  8. Fullbridge Evangelical Church has been on its present site since 1937, and has its…

    0.78 miles away
  9. Our doors are open to everybody of all faiths – all are welcome in this house. Come…

    0.8 miles away
  10. Today, St Peter's Hospital in Spital Road is a valuable NHS centre, but the grand…

    0.8 miles away
  11. The war memorial in Maldon stands in the High Street outside All Saints Church and is a…

    0.85 miles away
  12. This 15th Century former manorial home houses a unique brick spiral staircase, a Georgian…

    0.87 miles away
  13. Housed in a former water pumping station, the museum has a fascinating collection of…

    0.87 miles away
Previous Next

Number of results:

Number of results: 581

, currently showing 421 to 440.

  1. Address

    Homefield House, Witham Road, Little Braxted, Essex, CM8 3ET

    Telephone

    07740117688

    Little Braxted

    A recent addition to the charming Braxted Bakery is this quaint minitature railway which runs on site next the bakery!

    Started off as hobby by the bakery owners, the railway is now open to passengers and will be open alongside the bakery to…

  2. Address

    Chigborough Road, Heybridge, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4RD

    Telephone

    01621 862960

    Maldon

    An area of worked-out flooded gravel pits to the north of the River Blackwater. It has a variety of habitats including Willow Carr, open water, small ponds and marshy areas, rough grassland, and willow and hawthorn scrub.

  3. Address

    4 Edwards Walk, High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PS

    Telephone

    07964 982299

    Maldon

    A local Independent health food store offering supplements, superfoods, health and nutrition advice and delicious fresh juices and smoothies.

  4. Address

    Southminster Railway Station, Southminster, Essex, CM0 7EG

    Southminster

    A voyage of real ale discovery along the scenic Crouch Valley railway line from Wickford to Southminster in the heart of the Dengie Peninsula

  5. Address

    72 Station Rd, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8HF

    Telephone

    01621 783099

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Forever Ink covers a wide range of tattoo styles from traditional to custom designs. They also offer body piercings.

  6. Address

    Lock Hill, Heybridge Basin, CM9 4RX

    Heybridge Basin

    Heybridge Basin's famous sea lock links the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation to the Blackwater Estuary and would once have enabled smaller boats to enter and exit the canal and travel around the coastline. Today it is can still be used by suitable…

  7. Address

    Maldon Road junction with Braxted Park Road, Great Braxted, CO5 0QA

    Telephone

    01621 816464

    Great Braxted

    Family run farm shopping selling a wide range of fruit and vegetables, mainly grown in the surrounding area, including a seasonal range of locally grown apples. You will also find preserves, local honey, fresh flowers, speciality cheeses, breads and…

  8. Address

    White Horse Lane car park, White Horse Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6QP

    Maldon

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 4.6 miles. If you want a mud-free stroll which takes in the lesser-known parts of Maldon then this walk is a good option. This easy circuit of Maldon uses plenty of quiet paths and lanes, giving you the chance to…

  9. Address

    Market Hill, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4PZ

    Telephone

    01621 859365

    Maldon

    The original modest chapel on this site was replaced by this handsome building in 1801. This was as a result of the popularity of the resident preacher Reverend Joseph Billio. His enthusiasm and inspirational energy had caused the congregation to…

  10. Address

    Upper Plume school artificial pitch, Fambridge Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6AB

    Telephone

    01621854477

    Maldon

    A brand-new project on the back of the success that the Lionesses' achieved during 2022.

    The sessions are run by Simon and Ben from Maldon District Council's community health and wellbeing team and is open to women aged 18+ and costs just £1 per…

  11. Address

    Burnham-on-Crouch Library, Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HQ

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 4.6 miles. This largely mud-free stroll follows an easy circuit of the riverside yachting centre giving visitors the opportunity to explore some lesser-visited parts of the town.

  12. Address

    Vicarage Lane, Mundon, Essex, CM9 6PA

    Mundon

    The church of St. Mary in Mundon is cared for by the Friends of Friendless Churches and it is now conserved as a Grade 1 listed medieval church. After a major programme of restoration and repair it is once again open to the public daily.

  13. Address

    1A Edward Bright Close, High Street, Maldon, CM9 5RU

    Telephone

    01621 842247

    Maldon

    Clothing boutique selling ladies' fashions, women's shoes and accessories. Also available online.

  14. Address

    23 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PE

    Telephone

    01621854968

    Maldon

    Welcome to Maldon Books, an award-winning independent bookshop located in the heart of Maldon, Essex. We’re a family-run bookshop, nestled in at the top of the high street with a beautiful view of All Saint’s Church. We stock a wide range of titles…

  15. Address

    Church Hill, Purleigh, CM3 6QH

    Telephone

    01621 829600

    Purleigh

    Owned and run by local residents, Purleigh Community Shop offers convenience shopping, local produce and a social hub  in the heart of Purleigh. Produce includes fresh bread and cakes, locally produced meat, vegetables and fruit, wines,…

  16. Address

    Church Road, North Fambridge, CM3 6LU

    Telephone

    01621 740370

    North Fambridge

    Fambridge Yacht Haven at North Fambridge is a peaceful retreat for families, rallies and solo-travellers. From fine riverside walks to country pubs and plenty of children's attractions, there's so much to discover! With a direct train line to…

  17. Address

    The Esplanade, Mayland, Essex, CM3 6AL

    Telephone

    01621 743551

    Mayland

    An area of grassland adjacent to the sea wall in Mayland. Across the middle of the site is the remnants of an old borrow dyke which is now dry most of the year.

  18. Address

    112a High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5ET

    Telephone

    01621840844

    Maldon

    TDR Computers began trading in the early 2000s, from this time onwards we have been offering repairs and services to individuals and businesses all over Essex.

    ​We pride ourselves on being reliable friendly faces doing our best to provide quality…

  19. Address

    Downs Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HG

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    Maldon

    An area of grassland and trees which slopes gently down to saltmarsh at the edge of the River Blackwater. At the top of the site near the road is a tarmac path and a number of benches.

  20. Address

    Friends Meeting House (Quaker Church), Butt Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HD

    Telephone

    01621 854056

    Maldon

    Maldon’s Quaker Meeting House was built in 1821. It comprises two separate rooms; originally one for women and one for men, but now everyone worships together. The Georgian benches and tiered elders’ benches remain.

Related

Albert Barge on the Chelmer & Blackwater CanalChelmer & Blackwater Navigation, MaldonThis waterway runs through a largely unspoilt part of rural Essex and connects the county town of Chelmsford with the tidal estuary of the River Blackwater at Heybridge Basin. It is 13.8 miles (22.1 km) long and has 13 locks.

Heybridge Basin sea lock from the air, Aerial EssexBeeleigh Falls & Heybridge Basin - Self-Guided Walk No. 1.7, MaldonSALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 7.25 miles. This most enjoyable waterside walk provides the perfect introduction to Maldon’s countryside and riverside, including the scenic Beeleigh Falls and the seawall beside the Blackwater Estuary.

Beeleigh Weir at low waterBeeleigh Falls, MaldonBeeleigh Falls is home to a series of water falls, locks and weirs on the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation.