Discover mills in May

National Mills Weekend takes place on 10-11 May. Carole Leith, chair of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings’ (SPAB) Mills Section, recommends five to visit.

Woodbridge Tide Mill, SUFFOLK

Built on earlier monastic foundations, this Grade I listed tide mill stands impressively alongside the River Deben, still grinding flour for commercial and private sale. When the millpond is full and the sluices open, the paddles turn the huge oak waterwheel. Open daily, 11am-5pm, from 31 March to 31 October, with an extensive educational programme throughout the year, the mill offers many interesting exhibits, including querns (the grinding stones) and milling equipment.

This is also a beautiful location for relaxing, walking or birdwatching, and across from the mill you can visit the workshop where the replica of the Sutton Hoo ship is being built.
Tide Mill Way, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1BY; 01394 388202; woodbridgetidemill.org.uk

Kibworth Harcourt Post Mill, LEICESTERSHIRE

A Grade II* listed Scheduled Ancient Monument, this is a splendid example of the increasingly rare post mills that would have dotted the medieval landscape. Dating back
to at least the early 18th century, Kibworth Harcourt—which is owned by SPAB but on private land—is a showpiece with its traditional white sails, black roof and brick roundhouse. A long, curved tail pole is used to turn the sails into the wind.

The interior has many significant marks, including graffiti left by millers and visitors over the past 300 years, which give a fascinating insight into its history. Open to the public only on selected days, including National Mills Weekend.

Langton Road, Leicestershire LE8 0PR; kibworthmill@spab.org.uk; spab.org.uk/content/kibworth-harcourt-post-mill-project

Heron Corn Mill, CUMBRIA

This fully restored stone-built 18th-century watermill of medieval origin is a living heritage site offering a host of projects for all ages—from bread-making workshops to weaving, spinning and felting. A millwright training scheme is in operation over the next three years.

From April, visitors can enjoy a mill tour and milling demonstration on the first Friday of each month (booking required). The mill has impressive green credentials with a hydropower turbine installed at the weir of the River Bela on which the watermill stands. A shop sells flour and oats, plus there is a snack bar.

Open Thursday-Sunday, 11am-4pm.
Mill Lane, Beetham, Milnthorpe, Cumbria LA7 7PQ; 01539 564271; info@heronmill.org; heronmill.org

White Mill Rural Heritage Centre, KENT

Near the ancient Cinque Port of Sandwich is a historically important site whose centrepiece is a white-painted smock mill. Set among the original miller’s cottage and outbuildings, now converted into period workshops. When I visited, there were stalls selling new and vintage items to raise funds, and a photography exhibition. A woman blacksmith was fabricating items for the mill’s upkeep.

Open 10am-4pm on the first Sunday in the month from April to September.
The Causeway, Ash Road, Sandwich CT13 9JB; 07754 147496; whitemill_sandwich@hotmail.com; whitemillheritagecentre.org.uk

Otterton Mill, DEVON

It’s delightful to immerse yourself in East Devon’s Otter Valley, pausing awhile at a working watermill that dates back to Domesday and also encompasses a wide range of activities. Flour is ground here from English wheat by a pair of composite stones. There’s an award-winning restaurant, bakery, farm shop, art exhibitions and music events, and nature lovers can ramble and spot birds, otters and beavers. Open daily.

Otterton, Budleigh Salterton, Devon EX9 7HG; 01395 568521; ottertonmill.com

About the author

Carole Leith trained in the conservation of the natural and built environment and, having been a member of SPAB’s Mills Section for four years, is now the chair. She was also co-owner of a windmill for 14 years. For more about mills open on National Mills Weekend, head here.