Howsham Mill
WHERE
York
What it’s like
An 18th century watermill on its own island, with a woodland riverbank walk and a barbecue spot for picnics.
The island itself is open every day, so you can turn up whenever and walk the woodland path along the riverbank without needing to time it around anything. Get the mill building open too and you've got the bigger day out: that only happens on the first and third Sunday of each month.
There's no set age range given, but this reads as one for curious kids who like exploring rather than needing things laid on for them. The island has occasional flooding, and young children need supervising throughout. Picnics are allowed on the island and there's a barbecue you're permitted to use, though open fires are out.
Beyond the wander and the mill itself, there are workshops that come up now and again, paper flowers and making sustainable gifts among them, which need booking ahead rather than being a walk-in thing. Group visits and tours also need arranging in advance by email. Wheelchair access along the footpath is generally fine, though the road access is the tricky bit, and wheelchair users are steered towards using the car park rather than trying the approach on foot.
It sits about nine miles north-east of York, a few miles off the A64 towards Barton-Le-Willows.
Facilities
Need to know
- Booking
- Group visits and tours by advance booking
- Picnics
- Picnicking allowed on the island
- Wheelchairs
- Footpath mostly suitable for wheelchairs but road access difficult
- Getting there by bus or train
- 9 miles north-east of York, 3 miles from the A64
- The mill building only opens two Sundays a month, but the island is open daily
- Check the events page before you go in case the island's closed for an educational event
- Fires are banned except on the barbecue provided
- Workshops like the paper flowers session need booking ahead, not a walk-in
Plan your visit
When can we actually go inside the mill?
First and third Sunday of every month, 11am to 4pm in winter and 11am to 5pm in summer. The island around it is open every day.
Do we need to book?
Not for a general visit to the island. Workshops and group tours need booking ahead, tours by emailing the mill direct.
Can we have a picnic or a barbecue?
Picnics are fine on the island and there's a barbecue you can use. Open fires aren't allowed.
Is it OK for young children?
There's no age limit given, but the island can flood and young children need watching the whole time you're there.
Is it accessible with a wheelchair?
The footpath mostly works for wheelchairs, but the road approach is difficult, so wheelchair users are advised to park in the car park rather than walk in.
How do we get there?
It's about nine miles north-east of York, roughly three miles off the A64 towards Barton-Le-Willows.
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