Upminster Windmill - Public Open Day

Explore the Windmill & Grounds – refreshments available in our peaceful, award winning garden. Windmill Sails turning subject to weather.

Please note that to access the upper floors of the windmill:

• children must be over 100cm tall
• all visitors must have suitable footwear (no flip-flops, open-toed or high heeled shoes)

What to expect

Upminster Windmill has been extensively restored, thanks to generous funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Veolia Environmental Trust and thousands of hours of time from our volunteers.

Our open days offer the opportunity to:

• Enjoy the ambience of the 223 year old mill
• Experience the marvel of the sails and machinery turning (subject to wind conditions)
• Use touch screens in the Visitor Centre or talk to our Guides to learn about the history of the mill and its people, its place in the story of Upminster, the story of its restoration and the role of wind power through time.
• On a clear day, experience views across London from the upper windows
• Relax in our peaceful, award winning biodiverse garden with tea/coffee and cake from our refreshment kiosk.
• Enjoy some old fashioned kids games on the green.

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The sails and main drive shaft through the mill will be turning if weather conditions permit.

You can explore the windmill at your own pace, with guides available on each floor to assist and answer questions.

Entry time slots

Capacity of the upper floors of the windmill is limited, and the best way to guarantee admission is to book in advance for a specific time slot - just present your ticket to the team on the ground floor of the windmill to gain entry, and then proceed through the windmill at your own pace. Any unsold tickets will be available on the day, but you may need to wait for a slot and admission is not guaranteed.

You are welcome to visit the visitor centre, grounds and garden before or after your timed admission to the windmill itself. These will be open from 10am to 4pm on public open days.

Access and safety

The windmill is an iconic piece of industrial heritage, but is over 220 years old and was not constructed to modern accessibility and safety standards. We have taken all practicable steps to deliver a safe experience, but please be aware:

• The windmill contains moving machinery which presents a danger of serious injury or death if limbs or clothing were to become entangled, and sails pass the gallery at high speed. Safety barriers are in place for this reason and must not be interfered with.
• Machinery may stop and start as the wind changes. Stationary machinery behind the barriers may start to move if the wind picks up.
• Access to the top of the windmill is via four steep open-tread staircases, pictured.
• Floors are uneven in some areas.

For these reasons, you must adhere to the following:

• Suitable footwear must be worn at all times (no flip-flops, open-toed or high heeled shoes).
• Children must be at least 100cm tall, and must be able to climb and descend the stairs unassisted.
• Hold the handrail while using the stairs, and descend backwards. Adults should follow children up the stairs and descend ahead of them.
• Long, loose items of clothing (eg. long scarves) must not be worn. Due to the nature of the building and stairs you may prefer to wear trousers/shorts rather than skirts.
• Only small backpacks or shoulder bags should be taken on to the upper floors of the windmill. Limited, unsecure storage is available in visitor centre at the owner's risk.
• Stay behind safety barriers and follow instructions from our volunteers.
• In the event of severe weather (especially strong winds or thunderstorms) the mill may have to close. In this event, refunds will be offered.

The Friends of Upminster Windmill aim to offer a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for visitors and volunteers to enjoy the windmill. In the event of inappropriate or unsafe behaviour you may be asked to leave. The duty manager's decision on this is final.