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 by | United Kingdom |
| Type | Opening wind and watermills to the public |
| Date | Second Saturday in May |
| 2023 date | May 13 |
| 2024 date | May 11 |
| 2025 date | May 10 |
| 2026 date | May 9 |
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
editElsewhere 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
edit- ^ "UK National Mills Day 1998". Windmill World. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
- ^ "National Mills Weekend". Windmill World. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
- ^ "Mills Days outside the UK". Windmill World. Retrieved 5 June 2009.