Home > Attractions > Cambridgeshire > Houghton Mill

Houghton Mill

Travel Information and nearby accommodation

A restored 17th century water mill on an island in the River Ouse. Houghton Mill is now the only remaining water mill in the old county of Huntingdonshire, and, indeed, the last surviving mill on the Great Ouse. The mill is five stories high and built of timber framing, clad with weatherboard. Though built in the 17th century, it was enlarged and remodelled in the 19th century.

During the Victorian era Houghton Mill was a hive of activity. The mill ran ten separate pairs of grinding stones, with the power supplied by three wheels. The wheels were removed in the 1930s, but one was restored in 1999, and this now powers a single set of stones.

Though the current mill dates to the 17th century there was a mill on the site since at least the early 14th century, when Houghton was owned by Ramsey Abbey. There was frequent tension between the monks of Ramsey and the villagers of Houghton. In one famous episode that took place in 1500, the abbot dammed the river to power the mill, which flooded the village. The villagers, not unnaturally, were so angry that they rioted and stole the floodgates.

The mill is reknowned among landscape artists for its picturesque setting, and painters can frequently be found with their easels set up before the mill. There are wonderful recreational opportunities at Houghton, including walking, horse riding, and cycling. There are frequent milling demonstrations, and visitors can buy fresh ground flour.

Note: Demonstrations of milling depend on the level of water in the river being adequate.
Houghton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, England, PE28 2AZ

About Houghton Mill
Attraction Type: Historic Property - Mill
Website: Houghton Mill
Email: houghtonmill@nationaltrust.org.uk
Phone: 01480 301494
National Trust
Location map
OS TL281721
Photo Credit: Stuart Buchan, licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence
Heritage Rating:   ?

Nearest attractions Nearest Towns and Villages Nearest accommodation Nearest Tourist Information Centre

OS map Related Information

Nearest Attractions Norris Museum - 1.9 miles (Museum) Ramsey Abbey Gatehouse - 8.1 miles (Abbey) St Neots Museum - 9.5 miles (Museum) American War Cemetary - 10.8 miles (Historic Property) Kimbolton Castle - 11.5 miles (Castle) Bushmead Priory - 12.4 miles (Abbey) Cambridge and County Folk Museum - 13 miles (Museum) Kettle's Yard - 13 miles (Gallery)

Nearest Towns and Villages St Ives, Cambridgeshire - 1.9 miles away Huntingdon - 2.8 miles away Elsworth - 5.7 miles away St. Neot's - 9 miles away Eaton Socon - 10.6 miles away Kimbolton - 11.6 miles away Grantchester - 13.8 miles away Cambridge - 13.9 miles away

Nearest Accommodation to Houghton Mill

Nearest Self Catering Cottages

The Creamery - 30.7 miles from Houghton Mill Kedington, Suffolk Sleeps: 2 Stay from: £240

The Cottage at Rowans - 30.8 miles from Houghton Mill Kedington, Suffolk Sleeps: 2 Stay from: £295

Manor Stables - 31.2 miles from Houghton Mill Rippingale, Lincolnshire Sleeps: 6 Stay from: £254

More Self Catering near Houghton Mill

Nearest Hotels

Award winning Cheriton House - 0 miles from Houghton Mill Wyton, Bedfordshire Stay from: £60.00

Magdalene House - luxury B&B - 0.6 miles from Houghton Mill Wyton, Bedfordshire Stay from: £65.00

OLIVERS LODGE HOTEL - 2.2 miles from Houghton Mill St Ives, Cambridgeshire Stay from: £55.00

More Hotels near Houghton Mill

Nearest Bed and Breakfasts

Cheriton House - 0 miles from Houghton Mill Houghton, Cambridgeshire From: £68.00

Nags Head Hotel - 10 miles from Houghton Mill St Neots, Cambridgeshire From: £49.00

Kirkwood House - 13.1 miles from Houghton Mill Cambridge, Cambridgeshire From: £50.00

More bed and breakfasts near Houghton Mill

Huntingdon
Tourist Information Centre
The Library
Princes Street
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire
England
PE29 3PH
Tel: 01480 388588
Fax: 01480 388591
Email: hunts.tic@huntsdc.gov.uk
Web: http://www.huntsdc.gov.uk
Map