10 Mills to Visit in the Midlands this National Mills Weekend
10 Mills to Visit in the Midlands 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 10 of the most unmissable National Mills Weekend events in the Midlands.
Find your nearest participating mills and get involved with the fun! Remember to share your photos with us @spabmills #NationalMillsWeekend.
Kibworth Harcourt Post Mill © Rachel Stoplar
1. Kibworth Harcourt Post Mill, Leicestershire
This National Mills Weekend, book a free guided tour of Leicestershire’s last remaining post mill, owned and looked after by the SPAB and removed from the Heritage at Risk Register in 2021 following our major repair project.
This is one of just a handful of dates the mill is open to the public each year. Come along to see inside the mill, including the working machinery and some fascinating graffiti left by millers over the years.
Open Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May, 10am - 3pm. Free guided tours, booking essential.
2. Stainsby Mill, Derbyshire
Built on the banks of the Doe Lea river, the mill at Stainsby has been part of the Derbyshire countryside for over 800 years and is now part of the Hardwick estate. Explore the mill yourself or join a guided tour for an immersive experience. Visit for free Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May, 11am - 3pm.
3. Berkswell Windmill, near Coventry
This brick tower windmill was built in 1825 on the site of a post mill. This National Mills Weekend they are pulling out all the stops, with guided tours, morris dancers, spinners and weavers, and cream teas. Open Saturday 11 May, 12 – 4pm. £5 entry and under 5s go free.
4. Heage Windmill, Derbyshire
Presiding over spectacular views towards the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, this Grade II* listed windmill was lovingly repaired in 2002. To celebrate National Mills Weekend there will be guided tours and the Nunsfield House amateur radio group will be there contacting other mills around the world.
Open Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May, 11am - 4pm. Visit for free or book a guided tour on the website.
5. Heckington Windmill, Lincolnshire
Experience the sights and smells of the past at Heckington Windmill this National Mills Weekend. There’ll be demonstrations by millers and engineers on the Saturday and guided tours and the George Chambers Memorial Run on the Sunday – a parade of classic vehicles, including vintage tractors. You can also go on a guided tour and stop for a bite at the tearoom.
Open on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May, 10.30am - 4pm. Entry £5.
6. Waterworks Museum, Hereford, Herefordshire
Housed in Hereford’s Victorian water pumping station with its impressive steam engines still working in situ, the museum tells the public health and engineering story of drinking water. This National Mills Weekend, experience the power (and noise!) of the mill engines in operation with a guided tour of the museum.
Sunday 12 May, 11 - 4pm. Entry £9, under-16s go free.
7. Clodock Mill, Hereford, Herefordshire
This is a great time to visit Clodock Mill, as a new waterwheel shaft is ready to be fitted. This means that (if completion goes to schedule!) the mill will be working in time for your visit – with refreshments available using flour from the mill. There will also be guided tours.
Open Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May, 2 - 5pm. Free entry, donations to Midlands Air Ambulance welcome.
8. Mordiford Mill, Mordiford, Herefordshire
A tall stone corn mill has a large overshot waterwheel which you’ll see in action on your visit, as well as iron machinery and two pairs of stones. It’s a great time to visit as the mill is currently being repaired to working condition.
Open Saturday 11 May, 10am - 4pm. Free entry, donations welcome.
9. Rowlestone Mill, Ewyas Harold, Herefordshire
You’ll find this corn mill in a steep wooded valley, with a leat to the mill from a waterfall. Visit to see the external overshot waterwheel turning and driving a Victorian apple scratter.
Open Saturday 11 May, 10am - 6pm. Free entry, donations welcome.
10. Fair Oak Cider Mill, Herefordshire
Looking for something a bit different this National Mills Weekend? Take a trip to the UK’s only horse-drawn cider mill! You can taste and buy cider made right here at the 17th century mill and press. The apprentice mill horse, a Gypsy Cob named Featherstone, will be offering pony trap rides.
Open Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May, 10am - 5pm. Free entry, donations to the Laurie Engel Fund for Teenage Cancer Trust welcome.
Fair Oak Cider Mill © Chris Allen CC BY SA 2.0
Other mills to visit in the Midlands
Ullesthorpe Subscription Windmill, Leicestershire. See the surviving original timber machinery, as well as the bakehouse and miller's house. Open Sunday 12 May, 11 - 4pm. Free entry.
Cromford Mills, Derbyshire. The world's first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill, founded in 1771. Open Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May, 10 - 5pm. Free entry.
Masson Mills, Derbyshire. Cotton mill museum and exhibition celebrating the publication of 'The Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site - A Photographic Record'. Open Saturday 11 May, 11 - 4pm. Free entry to visitors’ centre, £11 guided tour at 1.30pm.
Green's Windmill and Science Centre, Nottinghamshire Climb the mill for breathtaking views and learn how flour is made with traditional methods. Open Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May, 10 - 4pm. Free entry.
North Leverton Windmill, Nottinghamshire. Visit the only windmill in England that has continually milled since it was built in 1813. Open Saturday 11 May, 10 - 4pm. Free entry, donations welcome.
Moulton Windmill, Lincolnshire. This dog-friendly mill is owned and operated entirely by volunteers. Guided tours available. Open Saturday and Sunday, 10am - 4pm.
Whissendine Windmill, Rutland. One of England’s few remaining fully operational 19th century windmills. Open Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May, 11am - 4pm. Free entry, donations welcome.
New Hall Water Mill, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham. Visit this working mill flour and bird seed mill, with stalls and exhibitions. Open Sunday 12 May, 10 - 4pm. Free entry.
Brindley's Mill, Staffordshire. Go on a guided tour and watch a corn grinding demonstration at this water-powered corn mill, dating from 1752. Open Sunday 12 May, 2 – 5pm. Free entry.
The Mill on the Green, Ludlow, Shropshire. A much-altered former mill building now housing a top-rated cafe. Waterwheel converted to produce electricity. Open Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May, 9am - 4pm.
Churchill Forge, Worcestershire. A working hand tool forge until 1969, with working water wheels dating from the 19th century and original machinery in action. Open Sunday 12 May, 2 - 5pm, £5 entry.
The Midland Mills Group list more windmills and watermills in the Midlands.