Houghton Mill and Waterclose Meadows

Houghton Mill is the last surviving mill on the River Great Ouse able to produce stone ground flour from a water-powered wheel. Experience the sights, sounds and smells of this historic building in action.

From stargazing to hunting funky funghi, set your children free at Houghton Mill with some of our favourite 50 things to do before you’re 11¾.

Adventures await children inside the Mill and out as they try grinding flour using a traditional hand quern, follow our outdoor nature trail or paddle on the mill pond in a canoe.

Enjoy the spectacular river-side and meadow walks from Houghton Mill to St. Ives, Huntingdon and Godmanchester. We've put together three downloadable walks to help you explore the area.

Enjoy some great canoeing along River Great Ouse and its tributaries from Houghton Mill. Pass through delightful meadows and pastures to the picturesque and historic towns of Huntingdon and St Ives.

Enjoy some great cycling through delightful meadows, historic towns and picturesque villages. Cycle safely direct onto the centre of Cambridge and explore NCN 51

Plan your next family adventure or tranquil retreat to our friendly riverside campsite. Bring your caravan or motorhome, pitch your tent, or even try glamping in our pods for an idyllic countryside escape.

Camp in style in our brand new camping pods. Our well furnished and equipped standard pod sleeps up to four and our luxury pod even features an en-suite bathroom and kitchenette.

Our friendly site offers fantastic facilities in an idyllic village surrounded by walking, cycling and canoeing routes with a local shop and pubs only a short stroll away.

Enjoy a coffee, light lunch, afternoon tea or a delicious treat in our friendly tea-room overlooking the historic mill. Please check our seasonal opening times.

From beautiful mugs or stylish sun hats to children’s toys and freshly milled stone ground flour, don’t forget to stop in at one of the Houghton Mill shops.

Houghton Mill stone ground wholemeal flour is milled in the traditional way using our quality French Burr stones to give a rich, nutty taste and rustic texture.

Houghton Mill was a regional powerhouse at the height of the Victorian era, exploiting its position on the River Great Ouse to produce flour on an industrial scale. How did it get to that position and why did it all come to an end?

In the early 20th Century Houghton Mill was languishing in a state of disrepair and even faced demolition until it become one of the more unusual venues offered by the Youth Hostel Association.

Visit our exhibition of late 19th, and early 20th, century paintings and see Houghton Mill, St Ives and the surrounding area as it was over one hundred years ago.

Our annual mill stone inspection is an essential conservation task before we start milling again each season. But what do the mill stones look like inside and how do we keep them in top condition?

During milling flour dust gets everywhere. Find out how our dusting schedule is less light housework and more a battle with the cobwebs!

During the 19th century, keeping the huge waterwheels turning efficiently was essential to the success of Houghton Mill. Over 150 years later we still need to regularly monitor, maintain and conserve this important piece of machinery.

Do you have some spare time and would like to learn a new skill, meet people and support the vital work of the National Trust? We’re looking for friendly talkers, creative crafters, hands-on millers, green fingered rangers and more to join the team at Houghton Mill. Find the role for you!

Click here to search for the latest opportunities to work at Houghton Mill. Simply put Houghton Mill in the search bar to see what is currently available.