Le Moulin de Quétivel
Set amid beautiful woodland surroundings, Le Moulin de Quétivel is Jersey’s last remaining working watermill and gives a unique insight into the 18th century when milling was at its peak.
The first recorded watermill on the site was the property of the Crown in 1309. During the following centuries the mill changed hands and was rebuilt several times. The present building, dating back to the 18th century, marks the height of milling in Jersey. When in use, the mill would grind wheat imported from eastern Europe and export flour as far as the United States and Canada. However, the mill ceased functioning at the beginning of the 20th century, only briefly being brought back to use during the German Occupation.
Once closed, the mill slowly fell into disrepair and burnt down in 1969. Thanks to the National Trust, however, the mill was restored in 1978, earning the organisation an award from the Civic Trust. Since then, the mill has continued to grind and sell its very own unique brand of stone-ground flour.
The mill is still operational and each year the staff of the National Trust for Jersey grind wheat to produce flour which is available for sale in the small shop situated on the ground floor of the mill. Sadly, as this is such a dusty affair, the mill is closed to the public during this operation. The upper floors of the mill contain interpretation materials and displays detailing the history of milling in the Island. At the rear of the shop is a small but beautifully presented herb garden containing over 50 types of herb.
The mill is situated at the southern end of a long meadow and is surrounded by woodland where visitors can discover a rich variety of flora and fauna. Eager explorers can take a walk along the beautiful woodland footpath which leads up the valley to the mill pond. The iconic Red Squirrel is regularly spotted in these woods. There is also an additional footpath which follows the stream down the valley to Tesson Mill, which also has a section open to the public, before continuing down to the beach a further 1km away.