Fyfield Mill

Fyfield Mill is a late 18th-century water-powered corn mill, with later 19th-century machinery, restored in the late 20th century. The mill has three storeys and a 20th-century slate roof, and is weather-boarded on all sides. It has a timber frame structure set on a red brick plinth from the late 18th century. A single-storey extension projects over the turbine chamber to the east, and a two-storey annexe is connected to the south. A taking-in door is located on the first floor of the west elevation. The mill has late 19th-century small-paned casement windows with pediments throughout.

The interior retains late 18th-century framing, with chamfered bridging beams featuring run-out stops, and all principal timbers are pegged and jointed. Diagonal braces are visible on the wall frames, together with curved storey posts. A six-foot head of water powers the turbine, installed in 1890 by J. Armfield of Ringwood. The complete machinery remains, including a wallower, spur wheel with wooden cogs, and wooden screening on the ground floor. Two control wheels and a worm gear operate the turbine chamber gates. On the first floor are two pairs of French burr stones, one contained within a wooden tun. A working sack hoist is present through both floors. The second floor retains surviving grain bins and a wire machine.

A mill has existed on this site since the Saxon period, mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. The current mill was likely built around 1790 on the site of an earlier mill, originally powered by a water wheel. The water wheel was removed in 1890 and replaced with a turbine. The mill was considered uneconomic to repair in 1947, but was restored in the later 20th century, with the internal machinery being restored in the early 21st century.

Fyfield Mill is historically significant for its substantial 18th-century timber frame and its embodiment of the latest milling technology, largely complete and in working order. It is believed to be the only working turbine mill in Essex.