Windmills and watermills are pretty impressive, aren't they?
As well as being things of beauty, they’re also remarkable feats of engineering - and they’re being celebrated during National Mills Weekend this Saturday and Sunday.
Until the advent of the steam engine, wind and watermills provided the only source of power for many different processes - from making flour, paper, cloth to hammering metal and extracting oils.
National Mills Weekend provides you with a fantastic opportunity to get inside some of these wonderful mills, some of which are not usually open to the public.
Here’s the mills in Leicestershire that you can visit this weekend........
Kibworth Harcourt Windmill
An early 18th century post mill - the last one in the county. It was restored in the 1970s, but does not work.
Other than the National Mills Weekend and Heritage Weekend, it is usually only open by appointment only.
It will be open on Sunday, May 12, from 2pm to 5pm.
- How to find it: Off A6 at Kibworth, between Leicester and Market Harborough. Take the Langton Road and the mill is a quarter of a mile out of Kibworth village.
Hough Windmill, Swannington
A red-brick tower mill, built around 1820. Internal workings are under construction. Fantail and brakewheel now installed.
There is a visitor centre with milling, mining and railway exhibits.
It opens April to September, Sundays and bank holidays. It will be open on Sunday, May 12, from 2pm to 5pm.
- How to find it: From Peggs Green roundabout on A512 head down St George's Hill, Swannington. Take second track on right and follow the brown sign.
Ullesthorpe Subscription Windmill
A six-storey brick-built tower mill, at present without sails, with original mostly wooden machinery and three pairs of millstones.
It was built in 1800 by subscription and is Listed Grade II.
There is an adjacent granary, stable, cart-house, pigsties, bakehouse and miller's office. The mill house was built in the 1830s.
Group bookings and other visits are usually by appointment only, plus occasional open days.
It will be open on Sunday, May 12, from 11am until 4pm.
- How to find it: About three miles north west of Lutterworth, in Mill Road, Ullesthorpe, opposite the entrance to Fairway Meadows.
Things to do with kids in Leicester
Wymondham Windmill
A six-sailed tower mill, complete with most machinery, but at present has no sails.
There is a tea room, serving lunches and hot food all day.
The mill is open daily, all year.
It will be open this weekend from 10am until 6pm, both Saturday and Sunday.
- How to find it: On the north edge of Wymondham, off B676 Melton to Colsterworth road.
Shepshed Watermill
Shepshed Watermill was recorded in the doomsday book in 1080. The mill was once part of the Garendon Estate until the mid 1970s and is now under private ownership.
It has been restored and received a national award in 2003 from The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB).
The mill is usually open five times a year between May and September (dates on website). Private group tours are also available.
It will be open on Sunday, May 12, from 11.30am to 4.30pm.
- How to find it: On the Hathern road about one mile north east of Shepshed town centre, just past the M1 overbridge.
