Pakenham Fen

Downs, Moorland in Suffolk West Suffolk

England

Pakenham Fen

Pakenham Fen is a designated nature reserve located in Suffolk, England. It is situated in the village of Pakenham, near the town of Bury St Edmunds. Covering an area of approximately 400 acres, the fen consists of a diverse range of habitats including wetlands, meadows, woodland, and moorland.

The reserve is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species. It is particularly renowned for its birdlife, attracting birdwatchers from all over the country. Visitors can expect to spot species such as marsh harriers, bitterns, reed warblers, and kingfishers.

Pakenham Fen is managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, which works to maintain and enhance the natural environment. The reserve offers several walking trails that allow visitors to explore the different habitats and observe the wildlife. There are also bird hides strategically placed around the site, providing excellent viewing opportunities.

In addition to its natural beauty, Pakenham Fen has historical significance as well. The site has evidence of human habitation dating back to the Bronze Age, and archaeological excavations have uncovered artifacts such as pottery and flint tools.

Overall, Pakenham Fen is a unique and important nature reserve in Suffolk, offering visitors the chance to experience a diverse range of habitats and observe a wide variety of wildlife. Whether you are a nature enthusiast, a birdwatcher, or someone interested in history, Pakenham Fen has something for everyone.

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Pakenham Fen Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.276787/0.82879047 or Grid Reference TL9368. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Pakenham watermill

Rebuilt 1814 on an ancient site Link

Jonathan Thacker

Pakenham Watermill, still grinding flour

Pakenham Watermill stands on a tributary of the Black Bourn and still grinds flour. It is open to visitors at designated times. A datestone on the south gable wall reads 'C.L. 1814', for Charles Low, who rebuilt much of the mill about that time utilising earlier foundations. The mill was restored to full working order in the late 1970s. It consists of three storeys and an attic story where the lucum is located in the pantiled roof. The ground floor is tarred brick with timber-framed upper storeys, and rendered on the front of the building. Weather-boarded on the gable ends. A loading door on the first floor has a semi-circular fanlight and a loading skid below to prevent damage to sacks and wall. The waterwheel is a low breast shot waterwheel installed about 19OO. It drives three pairs of under-driven millstones.

Adrian S Pye

Pakenham Watermill, still grinding flour

Pakenham Watermill stands on a tributary of the Black Bourn and still grinds flour. It is open to visitors at designated times. A datestone on the south gable wall reads 'C.L. 1814', for Charles Low, who rebuilt much of the mill about that time utilising earlier foundations. The mill was restored to full working order in the late 1970s. It consists of three storeys and an attic story where the lucum is located in the pantiled roof. The ground floor is tarred brick with timber-framed upper storeys, and rendered on the front of the building. Weather-boarded on the gable ends. A loading door on the first floor has a semi-circular fanlight and a wooden loading skid below to prevent damage to sacks and wall. The waterwheel is a low breast shot waterwheel installed about 19OO. It drives three pairs of under-driven millstones. Link

Adrian S Pye

The Black Bourn river from Baileypool Bridge

Looking downstream towards Ixworth and eventually on to the Little Ouse

Adrian S Pye

Baileypool Bridge at Grimstone End

The bridge crosses the Black Bourn river

Adrian S Pye

The tailrace after passing beneath the road

The mill pond and headrace are behind the mill and the water comes from Pakenham Fen and beyond. After leaving the mill through the tailrace the water travels about 300 yards before joining the Black Bourn before converging with the Little Ouse south of Thetford. Pakenham Watermill stands on the Black Bourn and still grinds flour. It is open to visitors at designated times. A datestone on the south gable wall reads 'C.L. 1814', for Charles Low, who rebuilt much of the mill about that time utilising earlier foundations. The mill was restored to full working order in the late 1970s. It consists of three storeys and an attic story where the lucum is located in the pantiled roof. The ground floor is tarred brick with timber-framed upper storeys, and rendered on the front of the building. Weather-boarded on the gable ends. A loading door on the first floor has a semi-circular fanlight and a wooden loading skid below to prevent damage to sacks and wall. The waterwheel is a low breast shot waterwheel installed about 19OO. It drives three pairs of under-driven millstones. Link

Adrian S Pye

Hippopotamuses at Pakenham Watermill

Topiary hippos that is. To see the mill : TL9369 : Pakenham Watermill, still grinding flour TL9369 : Pakenham Watermill, still grinding flour TL9369 : The tailrace after passing beneath the road

Adrian S Pye

Pakenham Watermill, still grinding flour

Pakenham Watermill stands on a tributary of the Black Bourn and still grinds flour. It is open to visitors at designated times. A datestone on the south gable wall reads 'C.L. 1814', for Charles Low, who rebuilt much of the mill about that time utilising earlier foundations. The mill was restored to full working order in the late 1970s. It consists of three storeys and an attic story where the lucum is located in the pantiled roof. The ground floor is tarred brick with timber-framed upper storeys, and rendered on the front of the building. Weather-boarded on the gable ends. A loading door on the first floor has a semi-circular fanlight and a wooden loading skid below to prevent damage to sacks and wall. The waterwheel is a low breast shot waterwheel installed about 19OO. It drives three pairs of under-driven millstones. Link

Adrian S Pye

Water meadow near Pakenham Watermill

Jonathan Thacker

Buildings at Pakenham Watermill

The one on the right houses the Blackstone oil engine.

Alan Murray-Rust

The Blackstone Engine at Pakenham Watermill

Ashley Dace has provided a lot of information about this engine Link , but here are some more bits. The engine is occasionally run as it used to do, but there is also an electric drive allowing it to be turned over at slow speed for demonstration purposes. In addition to the drive to the Midget mill, it could be connected to shafting which would have either allowed it to be turned from the main vertical shaft of the water mill when starting the engine, or technically it could have driven the shaft instead of using water power, although there is no evidence that this was ever done in practice.

Alan Murray-Rust

At Pakenham Watermill

A view across the millpond.

Alan Murray-Rust

The mill house at Pakenham Watermill

The watermill gets most of the attention, but the house is also Grade II* Listed, dating from the early 17th century. This is the rear of the house facing the millpond.

Alan Murray-Rust

Pakenham Watermill

A view from the south. The mill and its equipment are copiously described by other Geograph contributors. It is Grade II* Listed.

Alan Murray-Rust

Fen Road, Grimstone End

Grimstone End is a distinct settlement in Pakenham parish, well separated from the main village.

Alan Murray-Rust

Fulmer Bridge

Thieves Lane crosses the brook feeding Pakenham Watermill.

Alan Murray-Rust

Pakenham Windmill

Restored to full working order in the 1950s, but currently unworkable due to problems with the track of the cap, which would require substantial finance to correct. Currently, the patent sails have had all the slats removed to minimise wind stresses. Tower mill with fantail and patent sails, built c.1820. Listed Grade II*.

Alan Murray-Rust