Woodbridge Tide Mill is a rare example of a functioning tide mill, where historic engineering continues to operate as originally designed. The Grade I listed structure, built in the 17th century and restored multiple times, reflects centuries of adaptation in response to changing demands.

The three-storey mill is constructed from timber and clad in traditional white Suffolk boarding. Its gambrel roof provides structural efficiency while allowing for additional storage space in the upper levels. The water wheel and internal mechanisms, originally developed during the early Industrial Revolution, highlight the ingenuity of tidal power, using a controlled reservoir to drive the milling process. The original seven-acre reservoir has been reduced to half an acre, with much of the area now forming the modern marina.

Structural interventions have been necessary to preserve the mill’s integrity and function. GC Robertson has previously provided structural engineering expertise to support its restoration, ensuring the timber framework, water wheel, and milling machinery remain stable and operational. A major restoration in 2011 included the installation of a new water wheel and refurbishment of the machinery, allowing flour production to continue.

First recorded in 1170, the site has hosted several mills, with ownership passing from medieval Augustinian monks to Henry VIII and later private owners. The current mill, rebuilt in the 17th century, ceased commercial operations in 1957 before being saved from dereliction.

Now managed by the Woodbridge Tide Mill Trust, the mill continues to demonstrate the lasting impact of traditional engineering solutions.