Sturminster Newton Mill
About
Sturminster Newton Mill is still in good working order, the present mill dates from the mid16th century with considerable mechanical renovation in the early 20th century, although there has been a mill on this site for over 1000 years.
From the first shudder as the Mill's water turbine slowly begin to turn bringing this magnificent building to life you are transported back in time when the mill was a noisy, workplace, reverberating with the slapping of drive belts, the rumbling millstones and the clattering pinions and hammer mills. As the grain is fed down into the millstones from the upper story and the resulting flour is collected into the sacks a cloud pervades every corner of the building eventually covering everyone and everything in a fine layer of dust. Such was the day to day conditions experienced by the miller and his family as they worked to turn the yield of the farmer's fields into the necessity of life for the local community.
Closed temporarily due to Covid-19 pandemic
Admission
Adults £2.50;
Children £1
Opening Times
Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Thursday from Easter to the end of September. 11am to 5pm each day.
Learning
School trips welcomed.
Facilities
| Parking | |
| Refreshments | |
| Gift shop | Yes |
| Gardens/Grounds | |
| Toilets | |
| Toilets for Wheelchair Users | |
| Guided Tours | |
| Audio Tours | |
| Wheelchair Accessability | Ground floor only |
| Induction Loop | |
| Facilities for the Blind / Visually Impaired | |
| Group Visits | |
| School Visits | |
| Outreach activities |
Contact
Mill Lane
Sturminster Newton
Dorset
01747 854355
http://www.sturminsternewton-museum.co.uk
pidgeonhouse@btinternet.com
The mill is run by a water-powered turbine installed in 1904. Many mills adopted turbine power around 100 years ago, as these were more efficient than even the best water wheels, but very few have survived and still fewer have been in constant working order. Designed and built by J.J.Arnfield of Ringwood this machine is classed as a 45 inch “British Empire” double turbine which produces some 25 horsepower from a five foot head of water, this being sufficient to run all of the mill’s machinery.
