Description
Houghton Mill is an impressive working 18th-century watermill located on an island in the River Great Ouse in Cambridgeshire. The site has a milling history spanning over 1,000 years and was saved from demolition by local villagers. Today, it offers visitors a peaceful riverside setting combined with heritage and traditional milling.
Visitors can explore the working watermill with three floors of machinery and milling demonstrations, and even try making flour. The surrounding water meadows provide scenic walking routes towards St Ives, Huntingdon, and Godmanchester. The riverside tea-room serves hot and cold drinks, snacks, and light meals, while the campsite and camping pods offer overnight stays with views across the Ouse Valley.
Mill tour prices are £9.40 with Gift Aid (£8.50 without) for adults, £4.70 (£4.25 without) for children aged 5–17, and £23.40 (£21.25 without) for families, with under 5s free. Car parking costs £3.00 for up to 3 hours (increasing to £3.50 from 1 March 2026), and there are no party packages offered.
With its historic machinery, tranquil riverside surroundings, and scenic countryside walks, Houghton Mill offers a relaxing and educational visit. Visitors can experience traditional milling while enjoying nature and local heritage. It is an ideal destination for history lovers, walkers, and families seeking a peaceful day out.
Features
- Paid
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
Follow this amazing survival story of a mill that was almost demolished, then saved by the local villagers and restored to working order to carry on the tradition of milling on this site for over 1,000 years. Set in an idyllic village location on an island on the Great Ouse River, Houghton Mill has inspired artists and photographers for generations. Come and experience the sound and atmosphere of a traditional working mill, have a go at making flour or lose yourself in the tranquillity of the riverside setting and stay a while at our campsite.
- Watermill: Working 18th-century watermill, with three floors of traditional machinery and milling demonstrations.
- Meadows: Water Meadows alongside the River Great Ouse with walking routes to St Ives, Huntingdon and Godmanchester.
- Campsite: Riverside campsite and camping pods, with views across the Ouse Valley.
- Guided tour: The watermill is open between March and October. Guided tours of the mill are available on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets need to be booked in advance.
0.18 miles
