Help save Winchester City Mill

The future of Britain’s oldest working watermill is under threat. For centuries locals have trodden Winchester City Mill’s old wooden floors and bought flour milled by the force of the River itchen that tumbles down below. Some neighbouring bakeries still buy their flour from the Mill today.

Winchester City Mill and bridge — We're embarking on a programme of repair work to save Winchester City Mill

Looking through the waterwheel and gearing at Winchester City Mill — The waterwheel and gearing at Winchester City Mill

Protecting history

Winchester City Mill lies in the heart of this medieval city and has, until now, weathered the course of time. However, following recent flood damage, Winchester is at risk of losing one of its most historic properties. We’re determined to protect the mill and safeguard its future, but the only way we can achieve our goal is with your help.

A damaged structural beam at Winchester City Mill

Significant flood damage

During the heavy floods over the winter of 2013 and 2014 the mill suffered significant damage with much of the building inundated by the main flow of the river. This weight of water posed a very real threat to the building’s walls. As the water receded and repair work began, we found that many of the ancient beams were in a bad state of decay.

The basement spaces at Winchester City Mill post flood damage

Work has begun...

Emergency propping has had to be installed to provide vital support to the building. With these temporary measures in place we now have to make permanent repairs within the next 12 months to ensure that the structure stays standing. If we’re to preserve this precious part of our heritage for future generations we need your help now.

" Winchester City Mill is probably the oldest working watermill in the country, one of Winchester’s much-loved historic treasures and our visitors love to see it in action. It is only with your support that we can keep the Mill open to visitors in the future, to tell its story for the next generation."

Welcome to Winchester City Mill, Hampshire, gateway to the South Downs — Welcome to Winchester City Mill

How you can help

Without urgent repairs, the damage to the Mill’s very fabric mean the it’s immediate future is uncertain. Thanks to generous public support we have already raised £80,000 of the £125,000 required. However, we need to raise another £45,000 to make lasting repairs, so that the Mill stays standing strong.

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Video

It's not just humans who want to save the Mill

In 1994, three otters were reintroduced to the River Itchen. Since then, these rare and elusive creatures have thrived. The otters’ adventures are captured by our motion activated cameras as they emerge from under the Mill. Otters are so often spotted at City Mill that our footage has regularly featured on nature programmes such as Springwatch and Countryfile. It’s vitally important that this project continues.

A brief history of Winchester City Mill

From its Saxon origins through to the days of the agricultural and industrial revolutions, City Mill has an ancient and storied past. Discover a brief history of the building that we’re trying to save.

JMW Turner's graphite on paper sketch of Winchester City Mill

Milestones and millstones: a timeline

Take a trip back in time and discover a few of the Mill's most historic moments. From Domesday and dissolution, to its capture in a sketchbook by one of Britain's greatest ever painters.

Our scale model is one of the many ways to get hands on and learn about Winchester City Mill

A thousand years of milling history

The City Mill is one of the oldest working watermills in the country, with over a thousand years of milling history behind it.

A tray of fresh baked brownies at Winchester City Mill

Our brownie recipe

Discover this indulgent recipe, created as part of our 2017 fundraising campaign. Perfect for big kids and little ones, this simple recipe will give you delicious results every time.

Bob Goodwin

Bob Goodwin has been a Volunteer Miller here for over 16 years. Still as excited about our project as he was on his first day and determined that milling should continue, hear Bob's view on why City Mill must be saved.

Why give to the National Trust

As a charity, we rely on the generosity of supporters to look after the historic buildings in our care. Not only do our supporters help to conserve beautiful homes and stunning gardens. They also ensure that future generations have places where they can be inspired by stories of the past, enjoy peace and time to reflect, and make memories to treasure. Your donation will go towards this project and other vital conservation work on our buildings at this special place. With your support, we can continue to protect the irreplaceable. For ever, for everyone.

Fundraising Regulator

Donate now to help safeguard this historic mill's future