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Winchester City Mill
Free to enter Ancient watermill, café with island garden and wildlife spot in the heart of Winchester
Bridge Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9BH
Opening times for 21 May 2025
Asset Opening time Watermill 10:00 - 17:00 Cafe 10:00 - 16:00 Second-hand bookshop 10:00 - 17:00 Please note our Watermill is currently not operating and the area may have random closures throughout the year whilst it is being repaired.
MTWTFSS282930123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930311OpenPartially openClosed- Assistance dogs only
- Available for functions
Please contact the property via email to discuss availability and pricing.
- Café
- Toilet
No on-site parking. Entrance to the mill is via a low-gradient ramp up from the front courtyard. Stairs with handrail to the entrance of the Mill space, down to the millrace and out to the Island Garden.
- Accessible toilet
- Induction loop
- By road
Take junction 9 from north M3, junction 10 from south M3.
Parking: We have no parking on site. The nearest parking is at Chesil car park (Not NT) or use the park and ride from St Catherine's to Winchester. (Not NT) See Winchester City Council's parking webpage for more information - http://www.winchester.gov.uk/parking
Sat Nav: Do not use postcode as we have no parking on site.
- On foot
South Downs Way, King's Way, Itchen Way -- all pass through or finish at Winchester.
- By train
Winchester railway station is 1 mile away.
- By bus
Regular local buses from the surrounding areas stop nearby.
- Cycling
Planning your visit
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A map of our free entry site
Take a look at the map of Winchester City Mill to help plan your visit.
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Our café
Discover delicious treats and refreshing beverages at our riverside café, whether sampling an iced latte or our scone of the month there is something for everyone.
Highlights
Mill
A rare surviving example of an urban corn mill in Winchester, dating back at least 1000 years to the reign of King Alfred.
Café
Our café has the perfect field to fork story, and housed in the most beautiful setting of the Mill. Seating is available outside in our Island Garden overlooking the tranquil River Itchen.
Second-hand Bookshop
Delve into the goodies on our bookshop shelves, all donations go towards looking after this very special place.
Island Garden
A small but perfectly formed oasis in the middle of the city with views either side over the River Itchen.
Eating
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Eating at Winchester City Mill
Situated in the heart of the mill, the café at Winchester City Mill is an ideal spot for tucking into delicious baked goodies and a hot or cold drink while soaking up the atmosphere of the 1,000-year-old watermill. Our baked goods are freshly made here each day by our talented team, coffee is Fairtrade and 100% Arabica with notes of butterscotch and shortbread, with a changing selection of fresh lunch options available.
Things to see and do
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Things to see and do at Winchester City Mill
Grab a bite to eat in our café, spot otters in the river using the otter-cam or learn about how the Mill has been such an important part of Winchester's history.
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Family-friendly things to do at Winchester City Mill
Whether the sun is shining or the rain is pouring, discover why Winchester City Mill is ideal for a family day out.
Upcoming events
Event
Winchester City Mill Walk and Talk Tour
A guided ‘walk and talk’ tour presenting the most interesting features of Winchester City Mill.
Event
Turn the Quern! Family Activity
Join us for family quern demonstrations and learn all about milling and how we make flour!
About Winchester City Mill
Winchester City Mill has stood at the heart of the historic city of Winchester, the capital of King Alfred’s Wessex, since at least Saxon times. With a history of over 1000 years, Winchester City Mill is one of the oldest watermills in the UK.
A rare surviving example of an urban corn mill, the City Mill was rebuilt in 1744. Having entered the care of the National Trust in the late 1920’s, the City Mill was partially restored in 2004. In early 2023, the waterwheel was decommissioned and so the next phase is to raise money for a new wheel so we can begin milling once again!
Inside, you’ll discover more about the mill’s long and fascinating history. Learn how we intend to return to milling traditional stoneground wholemeal flour using the power of the River Itchen and have a short guided tour by one of our wonderful guides (subject to availability).
The City Mill is home to a wide variety of wildlife including kingfishers, grey wagtails, wild trout and water voles, which can be spotted from our tranquil island garden. Watch our city otters’ adventures from regularly updated archive footage and view the live feed from our cameras along the river.
The City Mill is also the official gateway to the South Downs National Park, providing a wide selection of information for those wishing to explore local walks and the attractions found within the South Downs, including the many historic National Trust properties.
History
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The history of Winchester City Mill
Discover the history of Winchester City Mill, probably the oldest working watermill in the country, from its Saxon origins to modern-day rebirth with the National Trust.
Our work
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Winchester City Mill Wheel Appeal
Our mill wheel has come to the end of its life and has had to be decommissioned. We are now looking to the future and to restore the wheel and revive our flour production once again.
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Discover how Winchester City Mill works
Find out more about the step-by-step process and how a water-powered mill works, a tradition which has been passed down for centuries.
Support us
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Winchester City Mill.