Guided tours of Fladbury Mill

Enjoy a small group guided tour of Fladbury Mill, the first time it has opened for Heritage Open Days.

Thanks to the great generosity of our member, the late David Wynn, SPAB took possession of the Mill in July 2024. Fladbury Mill is just the kind of building we appreciate. Much of the grade II listed structure dates from the 17th to the 20th century, embodying a wealth of history, but there is evidence that the site has much earlier origins. We have begun the task of exploring the building’s story, helped by a wealth of historic material left by David Wynn, and useful conversations with local people including the late Mike Izod, Fladbury historian. The SPAB hugely appreciates the building’s traditional milling heritage, but equally fascinating is its electricity-generating pedigree.

Fladbury Mill was in the vanguard of electricity generation in England. As long ago as 1888 the water wheel was modified to produce power rather than flour, with an electrical connection provided for nearby Fladbury Manor and two other houses in the village. The water wheel was replaced by two Armfield 40 ‘British Empire’ turbines in the following year, each rated at 25hp maximum output. These produced sufficient electricity to light the village’s main street. Fladbury became at this point, one of the first villages in England to enjoy an electrical supply. Fladbury became one of the first villages in England to enjoy an electrical supply.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 13 September:

1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400 & 1500

Sunday 14 September:

1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400 & 1500

Location & directions

Fladbury Mill, Mill Bank, Fladbury, Pershore, Worcestershire, WR10 2QA

Directions:

Nearest train stations: Evesham and Pershore. There is no public transport from these stations, so visitors will need to arrange a taxi to reach the site. Parking: A dedicated parking lot is available on-site and some roadside parking is available within the village.

Contact on day:

Chi-Wei Clifford-Frith

Telephone number:

+442074560908

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Please prebook online to avoid disappointment, no telephone booking is available.

Booking website:

https://www.spab.org.uk/whats-on/events/heritage-open-days-fladbury-mill

Alternative booking website:

https://www.spab.org.uk/whats-on

Booking opens:

01 Jul 2025 12:00 AM

Booking closes:

10 Sep 2025 12:00 AM

Accessibility details

There is no wheelchair access to the site due to steep steps. Children must be accompanied at all times.

Additional information

The initial electrical business was a success but not sufficiently profitable and in 1927 was sold to the Shropshire, Worcestershire and Staffordshire Electric Power Company (SWS), which existed until nationalisation in 1948. The mill had largely ceased traditional milling operations by the time that SWS took over. It was boarded up during WW11 or before. After the war the mill became a small toy-making factory, until it was rescued in the 1950s by SPAB member Jack Crabtree of the well-known Crabtree Electricals firm. The mill later passed from Jack Crabtree to his friend David Wynn.

Max no of people per tour:

6

Est. tour duration:

0 hour(s) 45 minute(s)

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