UK Construction Journal - Issue 1 - April 2026 - Flipbook - Page 53
Eve’s Corner, Danbury, 1925
© Bakers of Danbury
Bakers of Danbury:
Building a Legacy Since 1878
At Bakers of Danbury, we are proud of a history that stretches back to 1878. From repairing
rural windmills in nineteenth-century Essex to conserving some of the country’s most important
historic buildings today, our story covers generations of skilled craftsmanship and a continuing
commitment to traditional building techniques and historical building restoration.
Early Beginnings
The history of Bakers of Danbury begins in 1878 when William
Baker established his business in the Essex village of Danbury.
With £50, a loaned horse and cart, and a strong grounding
in traditional trades, Baker began work as a millwright,
wheelwright and carpenter, providing essential services to the
rural community.
Expanding into Building
By 1880 he had completed his first house, built at a cost of £170.
Over the following years many more homes followed, helping
shape the character of Danbury and nearby communities.
Baker produced his own building materials, operating local
brickfields that supplied distinctive red facing bricks used
in many of his buildings. Some of these properties still stand
today, reflecting the craftsmanship of the firm’s earliest years.
At the time windmills were an important part of the local
economy, and much of Baker’s early work involved repairing
and maintaining these. Among them was the Danbury windmill
itself, which Baker repaired after it was struck by lightning the
same year he founded his business.
In 1904 William Baker retired and passed the business to his
sons, Charles and Frank Baker, who continued the company
under the name Baker and Sons. The brothers developed
the firm’s work in complementary directions. Charles focused
largely on house building and general construction, while
Frank specialised in church repairs and restoration, establishing
an early connection with ecclesiastical architecture.
William Baker had originally trained as a millwright, but as
the nineteenth century drew to a close the number of working
windmills began to decline. Like many skilled craftsmen of the
period, he adapted his trade. Gradually the business evolved
from mill repairs into general building work, with Baker turning
his attention to house building, church maintenance and
construction projects throughout the surrounding villages.
Developing a Reputation for Restoration
In 1922 the company undertook restoration work on the
spire of St John the Baptist Church in Danbury, marking the
beginning of a long tradition of church conservation work. This
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