Visiting Houghton Mill

Houghton Mill and Waterclose Meadows, Cambridgeshire — Houghton Mill and Waterclose Meadows | © National Trust Images/Mike Selby

Houghton Mill is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays between April and October. We offer two kinds of visit for you to choose from.

Guided Tours: Wednesdays

Book ahead onto a guided tour, which run on Wednesdays. One of our 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.

Please book your tour in advance, online. Tours often sell out and we may not be able to accommodate walk-up visitors.

How to book

Tickets are released on Thursday morning, two weeks in advance, with one additional week going on sale each time.
Subject to availability, you can book a same-day visit, until 1 hour before a tour slot begins.
All visitors need to book a place on a guided tour in advance, including National Trust members.
Please book one ticket per person, including children over 5 years old and members.
Entry is free for members, please bring your membership card with you.
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.
Bookings are for your use only and may not be resold or transferred.

Book your tour tickets

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

Self-led visits: Saturdays

Each Saturday, from April to October, you can explore Houghton Mill at your own pace on a self-led visit.

Simply come along between 11am and 4pm and make your way around the mill. Our room guide volunteers will be on hand to answer any questions and share Houghton Mill’s fascinating history.

We also aim to have the mill stones turning whenever possible on Saturdays, so you can see the historic watermill in action. Please note that this depends on river levels and volunteer availability.

There’s no need to book in advance for Saturdays.
Entry is free for members, but please bring your membership card with you. Non-members will need to pay admission.

When you arrive

There is no need to book a car parking space at Houghton Mill. Car parking is free for National Trust members and £3.50 for 3 hours or £7 per day for non-members.

Our car park is limited in size. During busy periods such as school holidays, we ask you to use alternative modes of transport, if possible. There are several car parks 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 around 5-minutes away on foot).

When you arrive, you’ll find our admission desk through the left-hand door of the passageway through the building (as you approach from Houghton village / car park side). Please come inside to check-in for your guided tour, or buy tickets for a self-guided visit.