Historic mill re-opens bakery following restoration project

Nearly 150 years on, Sarehole Mill is back baking for the people of Birmingham thanks to launch of its new bakery and the restoration of the site’s Victorian bakehouse.

The Millers Tea Room now serves up treats, light lunches and pizzas.

Profits from the bakery all support Birmingham Museums Trust to continue to care for the city’s collection and to deliver its education programmes.

The project has also seen the original bakehouse restored and it will be fired up on event days to demonstrate traditional baking techniques.

As part of the project, Sarehole Mill has welcomed a new baker, Sis Kaur, to its team.

Alex Nicholson-Evans, commercial director at Birmingham Museums Trust, said: “This is a very exciting time for Sarehole Mill. The new bakery will provide a fantastic route for local residents to shop local for delicious freshly baked treats, whilst giving the Mill’s visitors a very literal taste of history. All this whilst also helping Sarehole Mill to become sustainable.

“We were blown away by the response on our soft launch at the weekend. Despite stormy weather over 400 people came out to support us. We can’t wait to welcome even more visitors through the doors, whether they want to pick up a loaf to enjoy at home or stay for lunch in our charming tea room.”

Sarehole Mill is famous for providing the inspiration for author J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic works The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

The bakehouse project has been supported by H. B. Allen Charitable Trust and Arts Council England.