National Mills Weekend
This year, National Mills Weekend will focus on the way that mills past and present have been recorded in pictorial form with the theme ‘Mills in Time’. The weekend, 10 –11 May, is an annual celebration promoted by the Mills Section of SPAB. Across the country, hundreds of mills – including some not normally open to the public – will be taking part.
With their elegant turning sails or distinctive waterwheels, it’s not surprising that windmills and watermills appear so frequently in paintings and photographs, posters and postcards. These instantly recognisable buildings feature in some of Britain’s most popular works of art: in a BBC poll, John Constable’s The Hay Wain, featuring Flatford Mill in Suffolk, was voted the nation’s second best-loved painting.
This year, we are encouraging everyone - whether owner, volunteer, neighbour or visitor – to share and display images participating mills. These can be your recent photographs or artworks (including embroideries, collages, films or videos), or paintings or drawings and even old maps, postcards or posters (please credit the copyright owner and photographer where known).
Share your images on the #NationalMillsWeekend Facebook page
If you own or manage a mill, this is the perfect opportunity to engage local people, reach new audiences, and inspire the next generation of mill enthusiasts. We've put together some guidance on how to plan your event and tips on how to promote your event for free.
The National Mills Weekend in 2025 will take place on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May.
