City Mill
Winchester City Mill spans the River Itchen, a world famous chalk river and a wildlife haven. The Itchen's special importance for wildlife has been recognised by national and European governments and is strictly protected as it is a fragile environment that can easily be damaged.
In 1998 the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust first began working with the National Trust at Winchester City Mill, with support from the Environment Agency. In 2003, the partnership was made more formal by introducing some static displays depicting the importance of the River Itchen as a chalk steam habitat and installed a surveillance camera to try and capture live images of any wildlife passing through the Mill. The Wildlife Trust aims to provide more information panels, guided walks and events to help visitors find out more about the history of, and the special wildlife found around the Mill and the River Itchen.
Even though the mill is in the centre of the city of Winchester, it is remarkably alive with wildlife. Water voles have been spotted from the mill, a kingfisher regularly fishes off the wall outside and a family of grey wagtails feed in the garden. Once common in Britain's chalk rivers, otter numbers fell dramatically in the late 1950s. Thanks to the work of organisations like the Wildlife Trust, otters are now returning to Hampshire's rivers. Otters living on the River Itchen use the mill as the perfect cover to come out of the water and mark their territory, right in the middle of town.
CCTV cameras have been recording otters swimming under the Mill in their nightly hunts for food. Their adventures are captured by three motion activated cameras installed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. View footage of Otters as they travel through the Mill. Other recent footage shows a mother and two cubs and a remarkable piece of film of an otter eating a large fish.
** Latest Otter Video **
Wildlife Trust members can visit the City Mill for free. Visitors to the mill can go down to the mill race to see the cameras and the river thundering by. They can also take a five minute walk up the path to the Wildlife Trust's Winnall Moors Reserve to enjoy more views of the River Itchen's wildlife, or walk south straight to the Itchen Navigation, and follow the historic route to Southampton (the Trust is currently leading a massive restoration project on the Itchen Navigation).
The restored waterwheel and machinery at the mill turn daily throughout the season and on certain days are used for grinding flour by way of ancient millstones. There is something to interest everyone; a pretty garden on an island in the River Itchen, the awe-inspiring mill race, a video presentation, displays about the river and its wildlife and activities including hand-milling of flour, quiz trails and hands-on activities for children of all ages.
Education Opportunities
The Wildlife Trust and the National Trust are keen to develop the educational potential of Winchester City Mill.
The site is suitable for school groups with an education room and many hands-on activities. Schools can visit the mill as part of a river study and while at the mill they are offered a choice of activities; milling demonstration, mill video, a quiz and hands-on technology. A teacher's pack can be provided that contains information and ideas for activities.
Staff at the Mill are willing and able to develop and deliver to schools resources specific to the Mill.
Admission prices, opening times and location
Winchester City Mill is located at the foot of Winchester High Street, just over the city bridge. Tel: 01962 870057.
The mill is open 11.00am - 5.00pm, Wednesday-Sundays, and open throughout the week during school holidays.
There is free entry to the mill for Wildlife Trust members, otherwise charges are: adults £3.40, children £1.70, families (2 adults & 2 children) £8.50.
