Discover more at Winchester City Mill
Find out when Winchester City Mill is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
There's lots for your family to get involved with at Winchester City Mill. There's a year-round activity book, wildlife spotting and '50 things to do before you're 11¾' challenges, there's plenty of family fun to be had come rain or shine.
This year's theme is Riverscapes and throughout the year we will be connecting you to nature and wildlife and of course, our resident otters! Look out for activities and interactive displays for all the family to enjoy.
A new activity book is available that's designed to be used at the mill and at home. From wildlife spotting to baking shortbread, the booklet is packed with activities and is designed to be read over and over again. Learn about how the mill came to be here and don't forget to watch out for the naughty flour thief.
Escape the bustling high street and enjoy the beauty and serenity of the mill's idyllic island garden. The clear chalk stream river is teeming with wildlife – look out for trout, ducks, swans and yellow wagtails.
You can also take a short walk upstream to the nearby Winnall Moors Wildlife Reserve, a natural habitat spanning over 150 acres of floodplain. The reserve offers an insight into the natural environment that would once have been present along the whole of the Itchen valley.
There are lots of ’50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ challenges you can complete with the whole family at Winchester City Mill. Here are a few recommendations:
No. 1 Get to know a tree: Discover the trees in the mill garden
No. 8 Spot a fish: Can you spot any fish in the fast flowing waters of the River Itchen?
No. 19 Play Pooh sticks: Pooh sticks is the perfect game for a summer's afternoon by the river. Play Winchester City Mill style and swap the bridge and serene stream for our fast-flowing river. It’ll be a race to the finish for those sticks strong enough to survive, so pick wisely
No. 34 Discover wild animal clues: Become a nature explorer and see if you can track our local otters. Spot their footprints on the wet floor down by the millrace or if you’re really lucky you might see (or smell!) their spraint. No bigger than a penny, it’s their way of marking their territory. Walk along the river after dusk and you might spy the otters coming out of their riverside homes
No. 44 Watch a bird: Wander through our idyllic island garden and keep an eye out for local birds. Spot a nesting grey wagtail, local swans or a mallard enjoying the cool River Itchen. Bring a pair of binoculars and you might even see the elusive brightly coloured kingfisher.
If you're planning a visit to Winchester City Mill with the family, here is some useful information
Find out when Winchester City Mill is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
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.
Visit the café in the heart of the mill for delicious baked products and a hot drink while soaking up the atmosphere of the 1,000-year-old watermill.
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.
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Discover the top National Trust places for family days out around Hampshire, from Wild Play at Mottisfont to acres of parkland at Hinton Ampner.