Booking your visit to Houghton Mill

How to book

Houghton Mill offers two tours of the historic watermill; pre-booked guided tours and a self-led drop in experience. We can accommodate a limited number of walk-ups on the day, but to guarantee entry please book online in advance.

• All visitors need to book a place on a guided tour in advance, including members. You can book a time slot for the day you want to visit up until 1 hour before.

• There's no need to pre-book tickets for Sundays.

• Entry is free for members, but please bring your membership card with you. Non-members will need to pay.
• Please book one ticket per person, except for children aged 5 or under as they don't need a ticket.
• The 10 minute time slot is your arrival window in order for the tours to start promptly.
• Bookings are for your use only and are not available for resale.
• We'll send your booking confirmation by email. Please make sure you fill in your correct email address when you book to ensure you receive your confirmation email.
• Tickets are released every Thursday morning, for two weeks in advance, with one additional week going on sale each time.

Guided tours

Pre-booked guided tours run on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays subject to volunteer availability. Knowledgeable tour guides will guide you through the journey of the grain, from where it was once hoisted up to the top floor from the barges below, right through to where the stoneground flour still comes fresh off the millstones today.

As your tour guide leads you through three floors of the mill, you will discover the story of the old youth hostel, witness the mighty Victorian machinery, and learn the centuries long history of this unique building.

Visit the mill

Our drop in experience allows you to enjoy a self-led exploration of the mill, every Sunday 11am to 4pm. There's no need to pre-book so just turn up between these times and make your way around the mill. Our volunteers will be on hand to answer any of your questions and share Houghton Mill’s exciting history.

Book your visit

Check availability and book your visit to Houghton Mill

Changing your booking

If you set up an account when you made your booking, you will be able to amend the date/time of your booking online up to 24 hours before the date of your visit, or by calling 0344 249 1895

If you are a member and can no longer attend, please let us know by giving us a call on 0344 249 1895

When you arrive

There is no need to pre-book a car parking space at Houghton Mill. The car park is free for National Trust members or £3 for non-members. You can stay for up to three hours and the car park is open daily from 8.30am until 4pm, exit by 5pm.

Please note the car park is limited in size and during busy periods such as school holidays, we advise using alternative modes of transport. Various car parks are available in the nearby town of St Ives, from here you can get one of the many buses which stop near to Houghton Mill (the closest bus stop is an approximate 5 minute walk).