Winchester City Mill, Winchester

Winchester City Mill, a meticulously restored water mill nestled along the picturesque River Itchen, stands as a testament to centuries of milling history. Owned by the National Trust, this Grade II* listed building has been a key part of Winchester's landscape for over a millennium.

The mill's roots trace back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was recorded as milling corn. However, earlier references in cathedral records date as far back as 932. In 989, Queen Aelfthryth passed the mill to the nuns of Wherwell Abbey. Some of the timbers in the mill, identified through dendrochronological measurements, date back to the 11th century, adding to its historical significance.

Originally named Eastgate Mill due to its location just outside the city's east gate, it later became known as City Mill when Queen Mary bestowed it upon the city following her marriage to Philip I of Spain in Winchester Cathedral in 1554. The mill underwent its last major reconstruction in 1744 by James Cook, a tanner. A sketch by J.M.W Turner from 1795 reveals that the building and millraces have remained relatively unchanged since that time.

In 1820, the Corporation sold the mill to the Benham family, who owned it until the early 1900s. Financial challenges arose in the late 1890s due to competition from neighboring mills, and by 1910, City Mill had ceased operations. Following a stint as a laundry during World War I, the mill fell into disrepair. In 1928, facing the threat of demolition, the mill was saved by a group of benefactors who purchased it and presented it to the National Trust. In 1931, the Youth Hostels Association leased the mill for use as a hostel, a role it fulfilled until 2005.

A twelve-year restoration program culminated in 2004, marking the first time in at least 90 years that the mill once again milled flour using water power. The mill building now houses a National Trust cafe and shop. In collaboration with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and the Environment Agency, night-vision cameras monitor the river passing under the mill, capturing images of otters. These recordings are displayed on a monitor in the stone floor area, offering visitors a glimpse into the local wildlife.