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.