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Winchester City Mill
HampshireFree to enter Ancient watermill, café with island garden and wildlife spot in the heart of Winchester
Bridge Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9BH
Important notice
Please note our mill race is currently closed to visitors whilst we work to replace the water wheel. You can still enjoy our café, explore our Island Garden, learn about the Mill and visit our Second-hand bookshop.
M T W T F S S Open
Closed
Opening times for 30 August 2026
Asset Opening time Mill Room 10:00 - 16:00 Water Wheel Closed Cafe 10:00 - 16:00 Second-hand bookshop 10:00 - 16:00 Garden 10:00 - 16:00 Please note the project to replace the water wheel may mean some areas are closed to visitors
- Assistance dogs only
- Available for functions
Please contact the property via email to discuss availability and pricing.
- Bookshop
- Café
- Cycle parking
Public on-street cycle parking is located approx. 50m away at junction of Bridge Street and Eastgate Street.
- Electric vehicle charging point
2 electrical charging points available at closest public car park, Chesil Street Multi-storey
- Family friendly
- 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
- Changing Places
Nearest Changing Places 0.42 miles away at The Arc, Jewry Street
Changing Places - more information- Induction loop
- Large print (guide or menu)
- Seating available
- Steps/uneven terrain
- Virtual tour
Several videos are available in our Welcome Space which provide a virtual tour of the property and the milling process.
- 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/parkingSat 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.
- Cycling
- Winchester City Mill is located in the city centre, on Bridge Street and is right on National Cycle Network Route 23 (NCN23) which travels through the city on a mixture of off-road paths and quietly trafficked roads. The Mill is also just off the South Downs Way. Plan your route to Winchester City Mill using the CycleStreets journey planner via the by bicycle link below. (This journey planner uses OpenStreetMap data which is generally excellent but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. If you come to a footpath or other cycle-prohibited track, please don't ride on it).
- By train
- Winchester railway station is 1 mile away.
- By bus
- Regular local buses from the surrounding areas stop nearby.
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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Article
Our café
Discover tasty treats, light bites and warming drinks at our riverside café. We serve seasonal goodies and scone of the month!
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Mill Wheel Appeal
Learn more about our fundraising campaign and the project taking place to replace our waterwheel
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Volunteering at Winchester City Mill
Winchester City Mill couldn’t run without the help of its volunteers. Joining the team here is a great way to learn new skills, meet new people and help support this special place. We have a range of volunteering opportunities available seven days a week, indoors and out, behind-the-scenes or visitor facing. Whatever your skills or interests, there’ll be a role for you.
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
Turn the Quern! Family Activity
A fun family event where you can learn the ancient milling techniques with our knowledgeable volunteers.
Event
Mill History talks
Step into the fascinating story of Winchester City Mill with our history talks, and discover the people, events and centuries of change that have shaped this remarkable building.
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Heritage Open Days 2026
Come and explore the beautiful Mill with wonderful volunteer talks all about the Mill and the process of milling at this historical site.
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 Restoration Project
Discover how we're restoring Winchester City Mill's historic waterwheel and preserving the story of flour production, heritage crafts and the power of the River Itchen for future generations.
Support us
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Winchester City Mill.
