John Webb's Mill, Thaxted

John Webb's Mill is a red brick tower mill in Thaxted topped with a domed cap and an eight-blade fantail for wind orientation. The thick stone construction and internal mechanisms display the craftsmanship typical of early 19th-century mill building.

Local farmer John Webb built this mill in 1804 using timber from nearby farms and bricks from the Chelmer Valley region. The structure has survived over 200 years and now stands protected as a heritage building recognizing its role in rural industry.

The mill served as a center for grain processing for surrounding villages and shaped the economic life of the area. Today the preserved millstones and farming tools inside reflect the daily work of millers and farmers who operated here.

Visitors can access the mill on Sunday afternoons and Bank Holiday weekends from May through September, with other dates available by prior appointment. It is worth checking ahead since opening hours may vary depending on weather conditions and volunteer availability.

The mill contains three pairs of working millstones in different sizes that reveal how various grain types were processed in separate batches. These mechanical systems remain operational today, allowing visitors to understand the milling process firsthand.