The Winchester City Mill is a restored water mill situated on the River Itchen in the centre of the ancient English city of Winchester. The mill is owned by the National Trust.
The mill was first recorded, milling corn, in the Domesday Book of 1086. The mill was last rebuilt in 1744 and remained in use until the early 1900s. The mill was then used as a laundry until 1928 when it was offered for sale. In order to prevent its demolition, a group of benefactors bought the mill and presented it to the National Trust. In 1932 the mill was leased to the Youth Hostels Association for use as a hostel, a usage that continued until recently.
In 2004, a 12 year restoration program came to a successful conclusion, and after a hiatus of at least 90 years the mill again milled flour by water power. The water wheel can be seen working daily throughout the year and flour milling is demonstrated every weekend of the year, and most Wednesdays during the Summer.
This is a wonderful presentation of such an ancient flour mill Cherie… i am used to seeing the water wheel outside of the mill….peter:)
This is the first time I have seen a water wheel like this
I love to see a water mill in action, so few opportunities these days.
Daniels Mill is a good working model to see
Places like this just mesmerize me, Cherry. I could walk around them for hours and just stare.
Unfortunately we couldn’t venture into the garden due to flood damage and being under repair!!
We have never visited Winchester. Very interesting!
Sigrun
I recommend a visit there
what an interesting hiistory. it’s good that it is being conserved.
I always love to see historical buildings being preserved.
I LOVE mills!
This year I visited a watermill in Mapledurham.
It claims to be the ONLY working watermill along the Thames.
Ha ha… I bought a pack of flour from them!
What did you make with the flour?