A SPAB Windmills and watermills weekend

This weekend hundreds of Britain's windmills and watermills will be open to the public as part of SPAB's (Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) National Mills Weekend. The event celebrates our country's milling heritage and allows visitors to see a wide variety of mills that have harnessed natural power for centuries.

Saxtead Green Post Mill, featured in the picture, is a corn mill. Its whole body revolves on its base and was one of many built in Suffolk from the late 13th century. Though milling ceased in 1947, it is still in working order and you can climb up the wooden stairs to the various floors to see the fascinating mill machinery. Some of the mills open on the 12-13 May have demonstrations at specific times, so it's worth looking at SPAB's website to find out more details to make sure you get the most from your visit.

Many mills, from Little Salkeld in Cumbria to Lyme Regis in Dorset, have opened bakeries in recent years, where visitors can sample the produce made from the flour that is usually grown locally too. Simon Hudson of SPAB says, "What better way of protecting the environment and supporting local food than by visiting your local mill?  It is satisfying to know that even in our computerized age, technology that provided bread for our ancestors is still in use today."

The Mills section within SPAB was founded in 1931 to protect traditional windmills and watermills from proposals to demolish or damage them each year. It campaigns for the sympathetic repair of mills and works to return buildings and machinery where possible to working order.

For more information on opening times and to find your local mill visit www.spabmills.org.uk