Further Afield
Jordan's Mill
Jordan's Mill preserved for future generations
The Mill's History
In 1855, standing in a dusty auction room, the formidable Mr William Herbert Jordan resolved to lease Holme Mills. By the 1890s William Jordan surrendered the lease and went on to purchase the Mill. Located on the banks of the River Ivel, near Biggleswade in Bedfordshire, it was first mentioned in the Domesday Book and was valued at 47 shillings. Here begins the fascinating story of the Jordan family alongside the history of food production and milling in Bedfordshire.
A fire at the mill in 1894 gave the Jordans family the opportunity to replace the original millstones with a more efficient roller system that could retain more of the goodness in the grain. A subsequent fire in 1899 led to more revolutionary technology to be introduced which could be compared with the dawn of the internet age today. This technological leap enabled the mill to increase production and put Jordans on the map as one of the leading producers of flour in the region.
The Mill Today
The historic flour mill has been home to the Jordan family for over 150 years and today the mill remains an impressive part of the local landscape. As well as refurbishing the old flour mill a new oak-framed Mill Store has been constructed to house the Riverside Café with stunning views over the Ivel and a shop selling the factory store favourites. There are also meeting and function rooms available for hire within the Mill Store. Surrounding the Flour Mill are gardens and wildlife areas designed by Chelsea Flower Show gold award winners, Toll + Kitson. This is truly where Grand Designs meets the Domesday Book!
Much More than Cereal Bars
Although the Jordan family produced the UK’s first breakfast cereal bar in 1979 they were making history long before that with innovative technology and production methods for the flour business. By restoring the original flour mill the history of Jordans Mill and the Jordan family has been preserved for future generations to enjoy.
Jordans Mill is a piece of history on your doorstep.
