Alderford Mill (2025)
Essex
Tucked away on a housing estate in Earls Colne, is a hidden little gem! Within an old water tower, which served the village's foundry from 1855 until 1988, the museum offers two floors of local historical artefacts. Within it is a permanent display, with various aspects of village life, which form the subject of temporary exhibitions.
Operator: Earls Colne Parish Council
Address: The Old Water Tower Reuben Walk, Earls Colne Colchester Essex CO6 2SZ
Sat-Sun, also May-Oct Wed 1400-1600. Visit website or facebook for more details.
The Old Water Tower was part of the Atlas Works, the home of R Hunt & Co. constructed in 1885 it formed an integral part of the foundry that manufactured and supplied iron agricultural machinery and various other cast items across the world. The Atlas Works closed in 1988 but it is not unusual to see R Hunt & Co. machines still in use in many countries.
Most of the site has been redeveloped for housing, but the Grade II Listed Victorian industrial buildings have been retained and renovated for commercial use, while the Water Tower now houses the museum.