National Trust - Houghton Mill & Waterclose Meadows - Huntingdon

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National Trust - Houghton Mill & Waterclose Meadows

Nestled in the picturesque Huntingdonshire countryside, National Trust - Houghton Mill & Waterclose Meadows stands as a living testament to England's rich heritage and natural beauty. This historic site, located at Mill St, Houghton, Huntingdon PE28 2AZ, offers visitors a unique blend of historical significance and serene landscapes. With its own phone number 1480301494 and an accessible website nationaltrust.org.uk, the Trust provides easy access for planning visits.

Specialties: As a premier tourist attraction, Houghton Mill & Waterclose Meadows showcases England's agricultural and industrial history through its preserved mill and meadows. Visitors can immerse themselves in the rural life of the past, including the restoration of the 18th-century waterwheel and the cultivation of traditional crops in the meadows.

Other points of interest: The site offers several amenities to enhance visitor experience, including on-site services, a wheelchair-accessible car park, a wheelchair-accessible entrance, a toilet, and a toilet facility that caters to all needs. For a more modern convenience, credit cards and NFC mobile payments are accepted. Families with children will find the area good for kids, with open spaces that encourage exploration and play.

Parking and fees: Although parking is free for Trust members, visitors are reminded to adhere to the paid parking lot guidelines for those who do not hold a membership. The parking lot accommodates various vehicle sizes, ensuring everyone can enjoy the site's offerings.

Opinions and ratings: With 2383 reviews on Google My Business, the average opinion of Houghton Mill & Waterclose Meadows is a commendable 4.6/5. This high rating reflects the site's success in providing an engaging and well-maintained attraction that resonates with visitors.

Key features:

• Historic mill with interactive displays
• Beautifully maintained meadows
• Diverse wildlife and plant species to observe
• Accessible facilities for visitors with disabilities
• Café and gift shop for refreshments and souvenirs
• Regular events and activities throughout the year

Recommendations for visitors:
To fully enjoy Houghton Mill & Waterclose Meadows, visitors are advised to:

• Check the opening times before visiting, as they may vary seasonally.
• Dress comfortably for outdoor activities, especially if planning to explore the meadows.
• Bring binoculars for wildlife watching and a camera to capture the picturesque scenery.
• Consider visiting during less busy periods for a more peaceful experience.
• Take advantage of the on-site café for a hearty meal or refreshment.

Conclusion: National Trust - Houghton Mill & Waterclose Meadows offers a captivating journey through time and nature. Its commitment to preserving historical sites while providing a welcoming space for all visitors makes it a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts, nature lovers, and families alike.

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"summary": "National Trust - Houghton Mill & Waterclose Meadows is a historic site offering a blend of heritage and natural beauty, highly rated by visitors for its accessibility and engaging experiences.",
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👍 Reviews of National Trust - Houghton Mill & Waterclose Meadows

michael L.

4/5

Review is for the campsite. Still trying to work out if its worth it. £96 for two nights in March! You get a grass pitch with ehu and thats it. The shower block is immaculate although I’m guessing 3+3 might lead to queuing when its busy. There’s also water, drive over grey, washing up and a laundry. Its also a shame that the river side is now fenced off from the site, although it is accessible from one end. The upside is that the location is amazing, with the mill, teashop, Houghton village (2 pubs, great shop) you can get on the river, rent a boat in high season, walk to St Ives which is delightful. We were there when it was very quiet (3 vans) and loved it but not sure I would feel the same at busier times.

Giles S.

5/5

Delightful water mill and flour mill. Used as a youth hostel until the 80s. Well with visiting. Spent about an hour there.

Pawel M.

5/5

Great place for swimming, canoeing, or long walks. The mill is definitely worth visiting, check the opening hours. There are toilets and a tea shop next to the car park. You can rent boats and canoes. Car park and facilities close usually at 4 pm, but you can still drive out, so don't worry about leaving your car for longer, drive up to the gate (not too close) and it will open. Beautiful scenery, we did an 8k walk (check out the map in my pictures, red trail, with a green shortcut south of the lakes) but you have many options, including an around 20k one recommended on a map just south of the mill. There may be mud and narrow paths in tall grass, so aim at good weather. Don't miss walking around the picturesque village with many old houses, a bit like going back in time. Recommended.

John H.

5/5

Great little place tucked away, lovely original watermill. Campsite also right next to it, you can bring your canoe or paddle board and launch in front of the mill. You sit next to the river on a sunny day with a picnic, so peaceful. There are walks as well.

Paradise L.

5/5

Beautiful. One of the prettiest villages in the UK with a fantastic working water-mill, walks in and around the village and meadows.
I have been coming here for 50yrs and I still love it. I went to the junior school back when I was a young'un and have fished and swam in the river.
Take a walk down Thicket Path to St Ives or set your tent up in the popular campsite, many do.
One of the most peaceful places to be.
Visiting is a must, stay for a week and enjoy yourself and with Cambridge just a 30min bus ride away, have a day shopping and then back for some R'n'R at the site. Fancy some lunch? Take a walk through the village to the Three Jolly Butchers, lovely food, plenty of space, large garden and you can even walk down to the river from there or even visit the Three Horseshoes Inn, another great pub for food and a nice cold drink.
Just take in the slow pace of village life and enjoy the quietness, no disco's, no loud noises, nothing but you may see some sheep on the meadow as you take a walk across to Hemingford.
So what are you waiting for, pack the tent or hitch up the van, all this peacefulness is waiting for you.

Titin S. (. S.

5/5

The house and water mills are not on operation everyday. It needs booking, check on one of the pics I took to see the booking availability. The surround vicinity is a huge meadow, a long river, a camping site, boats available to hire, a well preserved village with old houses and church built in 13th century, old and new post office, tea shop - pub, and if you have kids you may need a playground as well. The place is just beautiful! Take your bike and you can bike around!

Sian

5/5

Superb old water mill which still produces its own flour, in a picturesque setting. On the day we were there they turned the water wheel back on (apparently it hadn't been working for quite a while). There's a good mixture of information boards, working models and of course the actual working mill itself! There is also a lovely walk out around the grounds.

heidi I.

5/5

Lovely little place. The tour was really good, the guide was very good and made it very fun and very informative, even encouraged you to touch and feel everything which most national trust places don't, even got you involved in milling. Definitely need to book the tour. Don't just turn up if you want a tour of the mill, which I would highly recommend.
Great walks by the river. You can hire canoes to go on the river. Great part where you can wild swim or paddleboard. I highly recommend getting there early as can get very busy, will definitely be going back.