Dunster Watermill, one of Somerset’s most treasured historical sites, is inviting visitors to explore deeper into its rich heritage with the opening of its previously inaccessible grain storage floor. This reveal comes just in time for the National Mills Weekend on May 10 and 11.
This rare 18th-century double overshot watermill, situated by the serene River Avill on the National Trust’s Dunster Castle estate, has been grinding grain since medieval times and still produces around ten tonnes of flour annually. The recent restoration has focused on preserving its legacy while enhancing the visitor experience.
A significant highlight of the restoration was the replacement of the mill’s original four-metre oak axle, which had reached the end of its lifespan. Expert millwrights crafted a new, sturdier axle from greenheart timber, weighing over a tonne, meticulously installed over the course of a month at a cost of £26,000. Components of the old oak axle have been repurposed into two benches by an estate gardener, offering a unique viewing spot for guests to enjoy the wheel’s movement amid the tranquil surroundings.
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For the first time since the National Trust acquired the mill in 2014, visitors can now access the bin floor, a space once used to store up to 100 tonnes of grain. A newly constructed walkway from the observation platform guides visitors through this upper level, providing an immersive view into the milling process spanning the mill’s three distinctive floors.
Stephen Hayes, Mill Operations Manager and project lead, described the bin floor opening as “an accomplishment two years in the making” and expressed delight at allowing visitors to experience the full depth of the mill’s history. He also acknowledged the support from the West Somerset National Trust Association, Rural England Prosperity Fund, and a generous donor, all instrumental in making this restoration possible.
During the National Mills Weekend, guests can enjoy milling demonstrations, guided walk-and-talk tours, hands-on hand quern flour milling activities, and sample delicious apricot spelt cake made from flour milled on-site. The Mill Shop will also offer a variety of flours available for purchase.
David Payne, mill assistant, shared his excitement for the event, saying, “We’re eager to share talks, tours, and milling activities, showcasing this hidden gem to our visitors.”
The National Mills Weekend at Dunster Watermill will run from 10 am to 5 pm, with last entry at 4:30 pm on both Saturday, May 10, and Sunday, May 11.