Report - Bush Boake Allen - Suffolk - Oct 2010

Speed · Oct 17, 2010

I first visited this place about 3 years ago but decided to head back this weekend with Dweeb to show him and to tick off a couple of buildings id missed out on first time around. The works is both old and large which in my experiance means you will allways find something good lurking about!

Stafford Allen set up a farm and factory on the outskirts of Long Melford in 1899 to make natural pharmaceuticals, condiments and perfumes by milling herbs and spices, many of them grown on the spot. These included belladona, digitalis, liquorice and peppermint. The factory also milled imported ginger and pepper, a variety of gums and other spices, and made food flavouring essences (butter, almond, honey-cream and madeira) and naturally-based insecticides such as pyrethrum and derris.

The business flourished, and the association with the Allen family has continued for a hundred years. It is now "Bush Boake Allen" and until 2002 made the most wonderful smells in the village street when the wind was in the right direction! Now, taken over by International Flavours and Fragrances Ltd. the plant has been closed down.

Dispite being very thourghly stripped out the age and style of the buildings and the fact the works comes complete with all manner of things like a canteen and bath house makes it a great place for a good afternoons mooching!

Distillation Building