National Mills Day is an event in the United Kingdom. It occurs annually on the second Sunday in May. It started off as a single day event,[1] but expanded to include Saturday as well as Sunday, and is now promoted as National Mills Weekend. The event is coordinated by the Wind and Watermills section of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.[2] Traditionally, many preserved wind and watermills that are usually closed to the general public open their doors and offer an insight into the mill workings and history.

National Mills Weekend
Herringfleet Windmill in Suffolk, open to the public on National Mills Day
Observed byUnited Kingdom
TypeOpening wind and watermills to the public
DateSecond Saturday in May
2023 dateMay 13  (2023-05-13)
2024 dateMay 11  (2024-05-11)
2025 dateMay 10  (2025-05-10)
2026 dateMay 9  (2026-05-09)

In support of National Mills Day, Denby Dale Radio Club coordinates hundreds of amateur radio stations who operate from alongside and sometimes inside the mills.

Similar events

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Elsewhere in Europe, similar events are held in Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and other countries. Germany has the Deutscher Mühlentag on Whit Monday. The Netherlands holds its Landelijke Molendag on the second Saturday in May.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "UK National Mills Day 1998". Windmill World. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
  2. ^ "National Mills Weekend". Windmill World. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
  3. ^ "Mills Days outside the UK". Windmill World. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
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