National Mills Weekend 2023: be part of the celebrations

Over the weekend of 13-14 May, hundreds of mills will open to the public for National Mills Weekend, an annual celebration of our shared milling heritage.

This year’s theme, ‘Millwrighting: Past and Present’, draws attention to this critically endangered craft. This special weekend will highlight the importance of repairing and maintaining these much-loved historic structures, so they can continued to be enjoyed for generations to come.

Read on to discover just a few of the many heritage treasures opening their doors for National Mills Weekend. 

Want to be part of the celebrations? To find your local participating mill, search by county here (tick the 'open for National Mills Weekend box). 

North of England

Eskdale Watermill, Boot

This charming mill is the last remaining working water-powered corn mill in the Lake District National Park. The mill is Grade II* listed, with separately listed Grade II stables and stone packhorse bridge. Many original features and working parts survive, including two external overshot wheels, original wooden machinery, and an oatmeal kiln. A new waterwheel generator is also in operation.

On Sunday 14 May, the mill will celebrate National Mills Weekend with an exhibition on ‘millwrighting – past & present’, as well as wildflower survey activities in support of its meadow project. 

Credit: Eskdale Mill 

Find more mills taking part in National Mills Weekend in Cumbria, North Yorkshire, East Yorkshire, West Yorkshire & South Yorkshire.

East of England 

Bourn windmill, Caxton

We're delighted that this 500 year-old mill is once again open to the public, after three years of repairs funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England, The Pilgrim Trust and The SPAB. 

Bourn windmill is designated as a Grade I Ancient Monument and is one of just five surviving trestle post-mills in Cambridgeshire. There are only about 50 left in the whole country. 

Post-mills like this one are able to rotate so the sails are facing to catch the wind. As part of the National Mills Weekend celebrations, visitors on Saturday 13th May will have a chance to try turning the mill on its post; a truly unique experience.

Immaculately conserved thanks to @HeritageFundUK @ThePilgrimTrust @SPAB1877 & MANY hours from dedicated volunteers & specialists, she spins once more! Uncanny to be inside when it moves around central post, which appears to spin but is actually the only part *not moving*. pic.twitter.com/33bilWVB8r

— Dr Kelcey Wilson-Lee (@kwilsonlee) April 19, 2023

Woodbridge Tide Mill, Suffolk

Experience the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of one of the first tide mills in the country and one of only a handful in the world still producing flour on a regular basis. Woodbridge tide mill has occupied the same site for over 800 years. It ceased to work commercially in 1957 and was reopened in 2012 after complete repair.

The mill is offering free entry on Sunday 14 May to celebrate National Mills Weekend. 

Credit: Woodbridge Tide Mill Living Museum 

Find more mills taking part in National Mills Weekend in Cambridgeshire, Essex, Lincolnshire and Suffolk.

South of England

Cothele Watermill, Cornwall 

This delightful Victorian watermill is nestled in a wooded valley, beside the Morden stream. Run by the National Trust, this flourmill has a range of outbuildings including a traditional furniture maker and re-creations of wheelwright’s, saddler’s and blacksmith’s workshops. 

Open for National Mills Weekend Saturday & Sunday 11.00am-4.30pm. 

Credit: Sarah Charlsworth (CC by SA 2.0)

Windmill Hill Windmill, Sussex

This charmingly named mill is Grade II* listed and dates from 1814. It is the largest post mill in the United Kingdom. The mill last worked by wind in 1894 and has been authentically repaired as a working mill. Visitors may access the mill body by climbing the long ladder at the back of the mill accompanied by a guide. 

Open for National Mills Weekend Sunday 14th May, 12-5pm.

Credit: Windmill Hill Trust. 

Find more mills taking part in National Mills Weekend in: Cornwall, Devon, Hertfordshire, Kent, Oxfordshire, Sussex and Wiltshire. 

West of England

Fair Oak Farm, Herefordshire 

A traditional horse-worked cider mill and press in a barn, which also features a petrol engine and an old apple scratter (machinery that shreds whole apples). Originally built from massive stones hand-carved by craftsmen in the late seventeenth century, the mill became semi-derelict following the First World War. Fully repaired in 2012, it's now the only one of its kind working in Herefordshire.  

Credit: Charles Allen (CC by SA 2.0)

Brindley's Mill, Staffordshire 

This mid eighteenth-century working mill is the only known corn mill attributable to James Brindley, a millwright and canal engineer renowned as the pioneer of the canal system in Great Britain. Dating from 1752 the mill has been repaired from a derelict state by the Brindley Mill Preservation Trust. 

The mill is offering free entry on Sunday 14 May to celebrate National Mills Weekend. 

Credit: Alan Murray-Rust (CC by SA 2.0)

Find more mills taking part in National Mills Weekend in Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Worcestershire. 

Ireland

Fancroft Mill, Co. Offaly

For the first time, SPAB Ireland will host a Mills appreciation day on Saturday 13 May, celebrating the history of milling in Ireland to coincide with National Mills Weekend. They'll be visiting Fancroft Mill, Clara Heritage Society and Kilbeggan Distillery. 

Credit: Fancroft Mill

Scotland

Dalgarven Mill, Ayrshire County

A three-storey grain mill with 20 foot breastshot waterwheel and three sets of stones. The mill was built in1640 and rebuilt in the 1890s after a fire. The attached granary houses a museum of country life and costume. The mill is now run by a charitable trust.

Credit: Dalgarven Mill

Wales

Mathern Mill, Monmouthshire 

Mathern Mill is a corn mill whose existence can be traced back to at least the 17th century. Although milling ceased in 1968, much of the Victorian machinery remains intact. There are four pairs of millstones and a brick built engine house which once housed a steam engine to supplement the water supply. Outside, the development of the building can be traced and the skeleton of the water wheel can be seen.

Credit: Dave Bowen 

Want to be part of the celebrations? To find your local particpating mill, search by county here (tick the 'open for National Mills Weekend box). 

Visitors, mill-owners and millwrights can get involved over the weekend by using the hashtag #NationalMillsWeekend and tagging us on Facebook @SPABMillsSection or Twitter @UKMills.