National Trust - Bembridge Windmill - Bembridge

Introduction

Nestled in the charming coastal village of Bembridge on the Isle of Wight, the Bembridge Windmill is an iconic landmark that has been captivating visitors for centuries. This historic structure, now under the care of the National Trust, is not just a fascinating glimpse into the past but also a vibrant community hub and a must-visit attraction for both locals and tourists alike. Let's delve into the rich history, unique features, and practical information about the Bembridge Windmill.

Main Services

• Educational Visits: The windmill offers guided tours and educational visits, providing an insight into the history of milling, the workings of a windmill, and the role it played in the local community.
• Community Events: Throughout the year, the Bembridge Windmill hosts various community events, including art exhibitions, craft fairs, and historical reenactments, making it a dynamic part of the local culture.
• Cafe and Gift Shop: The windmill houses a charming cafe, serving locally sourced food and drinks, and a gift shop stocked with unique, windmill-themed merchandise.

Location and Access

The Bembridge Windmill is situated at the end of High Street in Bembridge, a picturesque village known for its coastal views and vibrant community. The address is Bembridge Windmill, High St, Bembridge PO35 5SQ, United Kingdom. The windmill is easily accessible by car, with free street parking available nearby. The number 9 bus route from Ryde also stops in Bembridge, making it accessible by public transport.

Featured Characteristics

• Architectural History: Built in the 18th century, the Bembridge Windmill is a five-sailed windmill, a type unique to the Isle of Wight. It is one of the few windmills in the UK to have its original internal machinery intact.
• Working Millstones: The windmill is operational and still grinds flour using its original millstones. Visitors can witness this process during guided tours.
• Panoramic Views: Climbing the windmill's five floors offers visitors stunning, panoramic views of Bembridge and the English Channel.
• Historic Exhibits: The windmill houses a museum showcasing the history of milling, local heritage, and the windmill's role in the community.

Practical Information

• Opening Hours: The opening hours vary by season. Typically, it's open daily from 11 AM to 5 PM between March and October, and on weekends only from November to February. Please check the National Trust website for the most up-to-date information.
• Admission: Entry to the Bembridge Windmill is free, but donations are welcome to help with its preservation and maintenance.
• Accessibility: The windmill has a wheelchair-accessible entrance, but please note that some areas, including the top floor, are not wheelchair accessible due to the nature of the historic building.

Positive Aspects from Reviews

The Bembridge Windmill boasts an impressive average rating of 4.3/5 from 927 reviews on Google My Business. Visitors consistently praise the following aspects:

• Historic Significance: Many visitors appreciate the windmill's rich history and the insight it provides into the local heritage.
• Friendly Staff: The helpful and knowledgeable staff are often highlighted as a key reason for a pleasant visit.
• Suitability for Families: The windmill is commended for being an engaging and educational day out for families, with many positive comments about the child-friendly nature of the attraction.
• Lovely Cafe and Gift Shop: Visitors frequently mention the delightful cafe and gift shop, with their locally sourced produce and unique merchandise.

❓ Frequently asked questions about National Trust - Bembridge Windmill

👍 Reviews of National Trust - Bembridge Windmill

Dr. M. P. W. S.

5/5

Bembridge Windmill is a charming and peaceful place to visit, especially if you enjoy history and scenic views. Standing on a gentle hill, the windmill offers lovely surroundings and a real sense of the past. The structure is well preserved, and the information inside helps you understand how it once played an important role in local life. The volunteers are friendly and happy to explain how the windmill works, which makes the visit more engaging. Even if you don’t go inside, the area around it is perfect for a short walk and some great photos. It’s a simple but memorable stop on the Isle of Wight and well worth a visit. It's the only remaining windmill on Isle of Wight,

Katie

5/5

Lovely old windmill. You can climb up to the top of you can manage some steep ladder type steps. Great views and really interesting. Staff were really friendly and gave some background to the site. Free with national trust membership. Parking is in a layby outside the property.

Samantha R.

1/5

We were visiting the Isle of Wight and saw the windmill marked out on Google Maps as a Point of Interest. I wrongly presumed it was just a landmark that was owned by the National Trust. But it is more of an attraction, albeit a windmill in a field. The parking was poor, no accessible parking and the attraction itself is not accessible unless you just walk/ wheel along the flat path and admire from outside (which is doable). We were charged £7 per person entry fee. The lovely staff member advised this was for the upkeep. I couldn’t go up the windmill due to being disabled and having our dogs with us. I found the landmark / attraction underwhelming if I’m honest and spent just 10 minutes there.

Emma P.

5/5

The staff were so welcoming and knowledgeable. It is a small attraction but they had lots of activities to keep the children entertained. We were offered bug hunting kits, built mini wind mills and thoroughly enjoyed the mud kitchen. We also searched for the 4 mice family scenes found inside the windmill.

Jeanette C.

5/5

Great place to visit ,coming to the end of the season hence scaffolding up for minor repairs before winter but still well worth a visit informative talk before going in and info film to sit and watch inside.

T B.

3/5

It's a lovely windmill with great views. A small amount of parking in the layby is available and a short walk down a lane. Small shop but could not justify paying £21 for the 3 of us to look inside the windmill. Plenty of opportunities to get photos outside of the property.

Karl T.

5/5

An interesting place to visit, but limited parking. As an engineer and fond of gadgets, a more or less intact windmill was on my to-do list. We arrived following sat nav to discover there's no car park just a limited number of (maybe 6) spaces by the road on a bend. We nearly drove down the pedestrian only walkway by mistake in our haste to get off the road and out of the way of oncoming traffic. The 'no vehicles' sign is easilly missed. Anyway parking issues aside the windmill itself is very interesting. Split across four floors accessed by steep (ladder-like) stairs all the machinery is there to see. I'd recommend watching the video on the ground floor before you go up so you know what you're looking at. Lovely views across the valley below.

Karen A.

5/5

A beautiful old windmill, only complete one on the Isle of Wight, looked after by the National Trust. Friendly staff to help with questions etc.