Bourn Windmill is the oldest windmill in England and is designated as an Ancient Monument.
Perched in lovely countryside to the west of Cambridge it is owned and cared for by local charity Cambridge Past, Present & Future, who enlist the help of a team of volunteers to support the opening and care of the mill.
The Windmill dates from before 1636. It is an open trestle post mill, which means that the whole mill rotates around a central pole. There are only around 50 of this type of extraordinary windmill remaining in the UK, 5 of which are in Cambridgeshire. Much of the mills' interior and workings are original with numerous names and dates carved onto the woodwork.
Every year the windmill is opened on five Sundays – and for 2024 on one Saturday - between May and September. The exterior of Bourn Windmill can be visited at any time.
There are lovely walks in the surrounding countryside with a footpath link from Bourn village to the mill as well as a footpath from the centre of Cambourne leading to the mill. Click here for a walks map.
Pictures courtesy of Matthew Power Photography.
Groups visits can be arranged at other times, please call or email to enquire.
Bourn Mill reopened in May 2023 for the first time since 2020 following major restoration work to save it from collapse.
Click here to find out about the project to Save Bourn
The mill is located off Caxton Road, Bourn CB23 2SU between the villages of Bourn and Caxton. There is a small car park close to the mill which is open from dawn to dusk on Caxton Road. This is just to the west of the turning to Bourn Mill Cottage. There is a grass path leading to the Mill from the rear of the car park.
Access to the mill is via a grass path. Access to the interior of the mill is by a steep external ladder.
Bourn Windmill
Caxton Road
Bourn
Cambridge
CB23 7PZ
