National Mills Weekend
14th and 15th May 2011
National Mills Weekend is a celebration of the UK's milling heritage held on the second weekend of May
each year. The weekend is organised by the Mills Section of the SPAB. As many wind and water mills as are
able open on one or both of the two days of the weekend.
This is a great opportunity to visit and look round mills, many of which are not usually open to the
public. More mills than ever are expected to take part in this year's National Mills Weekend, and full
details will be posted here on this site and on our Facebook pages where you are invited to add your own
stories, photos and comments.
The mills that are open to the public during this national festival do not only produce flour, but are
expected to include a silk mill at Whitchurch in Hampshire, a woollen mill at Trefiw near Conwy in Wales
and the country's largest water-powered cotton mill at Styal in Cheshire. Some of the working mills are
more than 300 years old, yet are still efficiently doing the job they were built and designed for into
the 21st century.
Many mills taking part are running special family events and activities during the weekend, including
demonstrations and the chance to buy flour and other produce made on the premises.
This event has grown year on year. The popularity of National Mills Weekend shows how important these
wonderful buildings are, both in terms of our national heritage and our landscape. And with increasing
interest in natural food production and sustainable power sources it's hardly surprising that people
want to find out more.
This site can be used to discover how to find these mills. Further information is to be found in our
publication, Mills open, which is available direct from the Mills Section at £5.50 post free.
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