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Winchester City Mill
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Winchester City Mill

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See all things to do
Winchester City Mill
4.5
770 reviews
#6 of 69 things to do in Winchester
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Nature & Wildlife Areas
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Winchester City Mill is a working watermill dating back to at least Saxon times; now fully restored by the National Trust, the City Mill is probably the oldest working watermill in the UK. Inside visitors can discover more about the mill’s long and fascinating history as well as see the mill in action and learn how we produce traditional stone-ground wholemeal flour using the power of the River Itchen. Our team of volunteer millers provide flour milling demonstrations every Saturday and Sunday as well as Wednesdays during the summer months. The City Mill is also home to a wide variety of wildlife including kingfishers, grey wagtails, wild trout, water voles and even otters which can be viewed from our on-site observation cameras.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
770 reviews
Excellent
379
Very good
305
Average
76
Poor
10
Terrible
0
Cherriesfan99
Cheltenham, UK679 contributions
Worth visiting, to listen to the stories from the guide
Mar 2023
With the actual water wheel removed for renovation, this National Trust property, not only has free access, but has, temporarily, lost its main photographic feature. However this very old, and atmospheric building has so much history, it is a small site, although it is worth a walk outside to the "garden " a very small triangular island, which effectively splits the River Itchen into the fast flowing stream ( for powering the watermill), and an avoiding stream. The torrent of the water, for such a small river has got to be seen.
Upstairs there is a small area detailing how the corn was milled. We spoke to a gentleman who was very knowledgeable, and interesting volunteer guide he gave us a bit of a history, including the fact that until relatively recently the mill was sublet to the Youth Hostel Association, which although very handy for the city centre must have been quite basic, and with the rushing waters quite noisy.
The mill even without its functioning waterwheel, is a great place to visit, and has an excellent café attached.
Written March 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
IPBushy
Coin, Spain169 contributions
Well worth a visit. Very good café.
Dec 2022 • Couples
A very interesting place of interest. Free entry (yes, it is National Trust!) with the option of a donation when you leave. We were given a friendly greeting.

It is small but very well presented with plenty of information including access to the undershot water wheel that still works.

The café is well worth a visit as all the cakes and bakes on sale were made with their own flour produced on the premises!

We thought it was well worth a donation.
Written December 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Spottydog25
Bristol, UK12 contributions
Great place to start a visit to Winchester
Nov 2022 • Couples
The City Mill was out first stop having just arrived in Winchester for a couple of nights. We parked nearby at the Chesil Road car park which we pleased to find is free on Sundays and made the short walk to the Mill. We started off but having a bite to eat and a coffee whjch were served promptly and the staff were very friendly and polite. The cafe isn’t very big but there was enough movement amongst diners coming and going that even at lunchtime there was plenty of seating available.
The mill itself was working on the day of visit. We found it to be a very interesting and engaging place, furthermore enjoyed by talking to the volunteers. It was great to learn about the history of the mill, how it had been saved and who worked there.
Well worth a visit!
Written November 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helen J
West Sussex, UK479 contributions
Small and interesting
Aug 2022
It would probably not be worth going to Winchester just to visit the City Mill, but if you are there for other reasons then this venue is worth half hour or so of your time. My favourite part is down below the building where the water rushes through under your feet. Outside you can see the river being diverted. Inside there are a few displays. The second hand book shop is sizeable.

We understand that you can access the book shop and the cafe without paying an admission fee or showing your National Trust cards but you will find that the receptionist tries to get your card numbers scanned regardless. We assume so that the venue gets it ‘share’ of funding and perhaps reasoning that anyone going to the cafe might take a sneaky look at the rest of the mill.
Written August 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
WinchesterCityMillNT
Hi Helen, thanks for your review. Yes that's true! For every membership card scanned we get a little bit of central funding, every little helps to support our wonderful mill. All parts of the mill are free entry, for everyone. Though we really appreciate donations to help with our fundraising mission for a new waterwheel. See you again! Kind regards.
Written August 23, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Philmex1
Southampton, UK1,661 contributions
Worth a visit if you're in Winchester
Feb 2022
My second visit to Winchester Mill. Entry is free at the moment (Feb 2022) but donations are welcome. The mill race is impressive, especially after a few days rain. The Mill is in the centre of the city not far from King Alfred's statue.
Written February 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
WinchesterCityMillNT
Thank you for your repeat visit Phil and for taking the time to leave a review. We look forward to welcoming you to the Mill again soon!
Written April 4, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Fotheringay
London, UK65 contributions
Wheely Very Good
Sep 2022
Starting with a photogenic exterior and free entry; visitors will then discover a range of interesting exhibits, with some wonderfully punned captions (hence my review title - honest gov) and the opportunity to safely get up close to the power of the mill race; before finding yet more photo opportunities at the building's rear.

But if that wasn't enough there is an excellent cafe (utilizing home milled flour) on one side of the building and a brilliant second hand book shop on the other. The mill is currently fund raising for a new wheel. Given enough time my friend and I could probably fund a spoke on coffee, cake and quality reading alone.
Written October 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
tka123
Worcester, UK141 contributions
Worth a visit
Jun 2022
National Trust property: as NT members we get in free anyway, but at the time of my visit it was free entrance for non-members, with donations recommended.

Interesting little property showing the mill working and the history of the mill. At the back there is a lovely little garden, and also inside is a cafe for food and drinks, at reasonable prices. There are hands-on displays to keep children interested.

Worth a visit if you're in Winchester.
Written June 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
WinchesterCityMillNT
Thank you for your review, we're glad you enjoyed your visit :)
Written June 13, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Annabelle S
59 contributions
Lovely staff!
Nov 2021
We were spoken to by a man inside, unfortunately we didn't get his name but he was really wonderful and told us about the otters they get visiting the mill as well as some other facts. He was really friendly and informative! It was also so cool to see about the otters, and the gardens were beautiful. The mill itself was great to see.
Written November 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
effie
Hitchin, UK13 contributions
Lovely little visit
Jun 2021 • Friends
My friend and I visited the mill after we decided to explore more of Winchester this summer. It was such a lovely surprise to find not only a concise exhibit on the history of the mill, but a very knowledgeable tour guide more than happy to answer questions. Tucked away is the mill garden, which was a very unexpected but lovely find nonetheless - especially given the lovely weather we are having. The cafe serves cakes made with the mills flour which were great, and the lady who served us was brilliant in helping us pick.

Not a long visit, but a nice stop.
Written July 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
shane😁😁
Northamptonshire, UK12,529 contributions
Free to NT members.
Jan 2023 • Couples
This is a lovely place to spend 15 minutes of your time.
It has a little cafe and a book shop as well as a 10 minute showing of the history of the mill.
I think it was about £3.50 for a paying customer.
A sweet little place to visit but not a huge anount to do.
Nice all the same.
Visited 21st January 2023
Written January 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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