Family friendly things to do at Bembridge Windmill

Family learning how flour is made at Bembridge Windmill, Isle of Wight — Discover how to make flour at Bembridge Windmill | © National Trust Images/John Millar

It might only be small but there’s plenty to keep little explorers busy at Bembridge Windmill. Enjoy a visit with children and discover the family-friendly things to do at this ancient mill, both inside and out.

Planning your family visit

There is free parking in the layby 100 yards from the windmill. This is not National Trust and can become busy. From here is it a short walk along the lane to the windmill. A drop off point is also available at the windmill, but cars must be returned to the layby.
We’re sorry but as the windmill is very small, there are no toilets or baby changing facilities on site.
During the summer, there are ice creams and cold drinks available from Visitor Reception to cool off with.
Picnics are welcome within the grounds of the windmill and there is plenty of space to lay a blanket, as well as tables to sit at.
Pushchairs are welcome within the grounds of the windmill, but we ask that you leave them outside when you enter the windmill itself.
Dogs are welcome on leads within the windmill grounds but not inside the mill.

This autumn.

Autumn at the mill

Explore the colours of autumn at Bembridge Windmill. Take a walk and notice the changing season with the tree leaves a varied pallet, and the ground littered with conkers and acorns. Spot a red squirrel scampering across the pathways as they gather sustenance for the winter ahead.

Search for the hidden mice

When you arrive, look out for the little felted mice at Visitor Reception. They are hidden all around the windmill and will tell you the story of the mill through their eyes. Look high and low and see if you can spy a baby mouse and even a pig. Our team at Visitor Reception will give you a torch to help you find them, as some are very well hidden within the dark nooks and crannies of the mill.

As you get inside the windmill, on the bottom floor, try grinding some flour with a hand quern. The miller that once worked here used the heavy machinery in the windmill to turn grain, such as wheat, into flour, but you can give it a go by hand – on a much smaller scale.

A felted mouse sitting in a chair reading a book at Bembridge Windmill — Can you find the hidden mice? | © National Trust/Rebecca Bevan

Mud Bakery

Outside in the grounds there’s a bakery to play in – but rather than baking with flour it uses mud and everything else is made from wood. Get messy making a mud pie in the wooden mixing bowls before putting it in the wooden oven and selling it via the carved till and phone. There’s a table and chairs to sit at too.

If little explorers would like to discover more in the grounds, we’ve bug and birdwatching packs available from Visitor Reception. Pick one up and go hunting through the grass, hedgerows and trees to see what creepy crawlies and you can spot, or search the skies for birds.

50 things to do before you're 11¾

Tick off some of your '50 things' at Bembridge Windmill.

No. 10 Play conkers

There's a large horse chestnut tree in the grounds of the windmill and each autumn the branches are laden with conkers. Find your winner and challenge your friends and family to a game.

No. 13 Make a mud creation

Get busy in the mud bakery and see what culinary extravaganza you can create.

No. 31 Make friends with a bug

Pick up a bug hunting pack from Visitor Reception and see which minibeasts you can find in the grounds.

No. 44 Watch a bird

There are plenty of birds in the skies above the windmill, such as buzzards and barn owls, and swallows even take a rest on the windmill sweeps. Borrow a pack from our team and see which ones you can spy.