The National Mills Weekend is an annual celebration promoted by the Mills Section of SPAB.  

National Mills Weekend 2026 - 9-10 May

Across the country, hundreds of mills – including some not normally open to the public – will be taking part. The next National Mills Weekend will take place on Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 May 2026.

2026 Theme: Mills – Now & Then

To celebrate Mills in 2026 we are producing a compilation of individual mill's histories and we would like your help. The SPAB Mills Section wants to create a new and comprehensive picture of mills of all types throughout the UK and Ireland.

Call for Submissions

We are inviting owners, volunteers, millwrights or anyone interested in the history of a mill to write about how one has evolved. We would like to understand a mill's origins and how the structure and uses have changed over its lifetime. This can be a post mill, smock or tower mill, a watermill or tidemill, or an industrial mill. The mill must be located in the UK or Ireland.

The chosen entrants will receive a copy of the publication, which will be available for sale through the SPAB.

The deadline for submissions is Thursday 30th April 2026.

All entries to be submitted via email to: nmwsubmissions@spab.org.uk

Submission criteria

Entries may be edited, and selected submissions will be incorporated into a SPAB Mills Section publication in 2026. Entrants will need to grant copy and reproduction rights to SPAB in print or online.

• Text: no more than 2,000 words
• Images: up to four photos or drawings
• Members of SPAB staff, volunteers or their families are not eligible to enter

All submissions must be the writer's own work, and photographs to be accompanied by the date and name of the photographer and their permission.  Or, if it is a historic photo, permission of the copyright holder. Drawings to be similarly annotated.

Useful information for the National Mills Weekend

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. To share images of your mill or NMW event see  #NationalMillsWeekend Facebook hashtag. For a list of regional mill groups and their websites please have a look on the useful contact's page.