6 Mills to Visit in the East of England this National Mills Weekend
6 Mills to Visit in the East of England this National Mills Weekend
On Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May, over a hundred windmills and watermills will open their doors as part of National Mills Weekend – our annual celebration of the heritage and history of mills, and the people who care for them today.
We’ve rounded up some of the most unmissable National Mills Weekend events in the East of England.
Find your nearest participating mills and get involved with the fun! Remember to share your photos with us @spabmills #NationalMillsWeekend.
Bourne Watermill Colchester © Felvalen, CC BY-SA 4.0
1. Impington Mill, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
This 18th-century smock mill has its foundations dating back to Tudor times and is now in the final stages of a repair project, so we there will be lots to learn on one of its guided tours this National Mills Weekend.
Open Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May, 10am - 4pm. Free entry, donations to the National Garden Scheme welcome.
2. Northfield Windmill, Soham, Cambridgeshire
This small hexagonal smock mill was built as a fen drainage mill in the 18th century. This is your chance to look inside, climb the smock tower and read about its history. There will be children's activities, woodland trail, and complimentary refreshments available.
Open Saturday 11 May, 11am - 3pm. Free entry, donations welcome.
3. Little Wilbraham Windmill, Cambridgeshire
This is a great time to visit Little Wilbraham, as new sail stocks will be back in place for the first time since 1979! The mill is a private house so the interior will not be open, although there will a display of old and more recent photos and historical details about the mill including the remaining cap machinery.
Open Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May, 12 - 4pm. Free entry.
4. Fosters Mill, Swaffham Prior, Cambridgeshire
Fosters Mill will be opening for National Mills Weekend with a tour of the working mill, wind permitting, and a display of archive photos and documents from over the years. You'll also be able to purchase flour and refreshments.
Open Sunday 12 May, 2pm - 5pm. Free entry.
5. Bourne Mill, Colchester, Essex
Take a free guided tour of this unique watermill, nestled in a hidden oasis of wildlife less than a mile from the city centre. It was originally built as an Elizabethan banqueting house using Roman and medieval materials. The mill's three storeys will be open to explore, the 18' waterwheel will be running, and there will be live spinning and weaving demonstrations to showcase the mill’s history as a fulling mill.
Open Sunday 12 May, 11am - 4pm. Free guided tours at 12pm, 1pm and 2pm. Free entry.
6. Alton Watermill, Stowmarket, Suffolk
Dating from at least the late 18th century, the mill, cart lodge and mill house were moved to the Food Museum from Stutton in the early 1970s, to make way for the creation of the Alton Water Reservoir. For National Mills Weekend, the volunteer team will be running the working waterwheel and using millstones to grind grain into flour, which will be available to buy from the shop.
Open on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May, 10am - 5pm.
Fosters Mill © Jon Cook
Other mills to visit in the East of England
Downfield Windmill, Cambridgeshire. Check the website nearer the time for event details. Open Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May, 10am - 6pm. Free entry.
Wicken Village Windmill, Cambridgeshire. The windmill will be working if wind is suitable. Open Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May, 10.30am - 5pm. Free entry.
Beeleigh Mill, Essex. Remains of the watermill and steam powered beam engine in operation. Open Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May, 11am - 4pm. Free entry.
Eastbridge Windpump, Suffolk. Check the website nearer the time for event details. Open Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May, 10am - 5pm.
Narborough Bone Mill, Norfolk. Water wheel turning and visitor centre open with displays and a model of the mill in its working days. Open Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May, 11am - 4pm. Free entry.