lawrence89
Well-known member
The History
Thorpe Maltings were built by Robert Free (of Mistley Maltings fame) between 1874 & 1878 (although BBC doomsday records of 1986 list the buildings as being built in 1895). It comprised of two independently run halves; with the West half, using crystal malt, and the East half, using pale malt. They are the only surviving maltings in the country to show evidence of this double use. Built adjacent to Thorpe-Le-Soken Station, the location chosen to provide vital transport links as well as keeping the associated smells away from the village. I could find no records online of the when the maltings changed ownership, but they were run by Free Rodwell & Co ltd. from construction and later taken over by Ind Coope /Albrew Maltsters. Various articles state an abandonment time of “at least the early 1970s” however there is another contradiction from the BBC Doomsday records of 1986 that state the ongoing use of the maltings and employment of 5 people.
The Explore
After a tip off from another user, I remembered seeing It coming back from wherever on the train. I always wondered what It was but until never actually visited it. This place was a pain to get into to say the least but after a bit perseverance I managed it. It was great finally seeing inside after all these years even though it was only a quick visit so I didn't get to see as much as I really wanted to so I'd like to come back one day soon and spend a bit more time here. Word of advice to anyone wanting to visit this place to be careful as a lot of the wood has seen better days and maybe bring something to cut away some of the greenery! Hope you enjoy!
Thorpe Maltings were built by Robert Free (of Mistley Maltings fame) between 1874 & 1878 (although BBC doomsday records of 1986 list the buildings as being built in 1895). It comprised of two independently run halves; with the West half, using crystal malt, and the East half, using pale malt. They are the only surviving maltings in the country to show evidence of this double use. Built adjacent to Thorpe-Le-Soken Station, the location chosen to provide vital transport links as well as keeping the associated smells away from the village. I could find no records online of the when the maltings changed ownership, but they were run by Free Rodwell & Co ltd. from construction and later taken over by Ind Coope /Albrew Maltsters. Various articles state an abandonment time of “at least the early 1970s” however there is another contradiction from the BBC Doomsday records of 1986 that state the ongoing use of the maltings and employment of 5 people.
The Explore
After a tip off from another user, I remembered seeing It coming back from wherever on the train. I always wondered what It was but until never actually visited it. This place was a pain to get into to say the least but after a bit perseverance I managed it. It was great finally seeing inside after all these years even though it was only a quick visit so I didn't get to see as much as I really wanted to so I'd like to come back one day soon and spend a bit more time here. Word of advice to anyone wanting to visit this place to be careful as a lot of the wood has seen better days and maybe bring something to cut away some of the greenery! Hope you enjoy!