Flatford Mill

Flatford Mill is a watermill, dating from 1733, although it incorporates earlier structures, including a former granary range and an 18th and 19th-century range to the rear. It is now a Field Studies Centre. The mill is constructed of red brick in Flemish bond, with weatherboarded lucam and the granary range. It has plain tile roofs. The main range is two storeys and has an attic. The south front has four first-floor windows and a central gable to the attic. A door with an overlight is set within a tall opening which breaks the first-floor band. There is a 24-pane segment-arched sash window to the right, and a lower plank door in the centre. Four round-arched windows are present, two with iron glazing bars featuring radial glazing to the heads, and two 20th-century wooden replicas. Small two-light windows are found on the first floor. A three-course first floor band is similar to that of the gable. A lucam is located on the right gable end. The rear of the mill shows two blocked wheel arches. A door is placed under a segmental arch surmounted by a datestone, and there is a four-course first floor band. A pitching door and two small windows are found above, under segmental arches. Stepped eaves are notable, and the attic gable was glazed in the early 20th century. The wheel arrangement was altered in the 19th century, and a wheel house was added to the right. There are no wheels currently in place. A range connected to the rear left side formerly served as a granary and is now incorporated into the accommodation. This is a single storey with an attic, with a pent-roofed extension to the mill pond side featuring 20th-century casements, and gabled dormers to a mansard roof. A further brick range is at a lower level with a gabled dormer on the mill pond side. The interior of the granary range reveals timber framing, including some chamfered jowled posts, studded walls, a massive inserted ceiling beam, and beams. The mill was held by the Constable family from the mid-18th century and is significant in the life and work of John Constable, which accounts for its Grade I listing. The property is leased to the Field Studies Council by the National Trust.