Not a run-of-the-mill day out (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Not a run-of-the-mill day out

National Mills Weekend, in May of each year, gives visitors an opportunity to discover some of the watermills and windmills that are such an important part of this country's agricultural and industrial heritage.

Several mills in Gloucestershire can be seen during this year's event, on May 7 and 8.

The Old Watermill at Lower Slaughter is a former corn mill, which is recorded as first having been on this site in the 11th century. It was re-built during the 17th century and it is these buildings that can be seen today.

It last produced flour in 1958, but a continuing project begun about 10 years ago is gradually restoring the mill, which stands on the River Eye, a tributary of the River Windrush; it has a working waterwheel.

Visits are not restricted to the May event, as it is open daily from March to the end of November, 10am to 6pm. There is a mill museum, and a riverside tea room which looks out over the mill pond.

Lower Somerford Mill, just south of Somerford Keynes, and within the Cotswold Water Park, is a 19th century brick-built watermill which still has all its original cast-iron machinery and its fabricated waterwheel. Working takes place from time to time, and it is hoped that the machinery will be in operation during the mills weekend.

The mill itself, which has formed part of the Mill Village, a complex of second homes created through a series of building conversions and new building, now contains a farm shop, which was opened this spring.

The shop opens from 9am to 2pm on Mondays to Saturdays, and from 9 to 11am on Sundays; these times will also apply to the mills weekend but should be checked before visiting by telephoning 01285 861056.

Lower Somerford, as well as being one of the few working mills locally, is only the second along the River Thames to be brought back into operation.

Arlington Mill at Bibury is one of Gloucestershire's best-known mills. The Domesday Book of 1086 records that even then there was a mill there, on the banks of the River Coln.

Like those at Lower Slaughter, its present buildings date from its 17th century construction work. Many other aspects of its history can be traced through the pictures, photographs and documents on display in the mill's museum, and visitors can see the machinery which was brought to Bibury from another mill at North Cerney in 1914, and now turned by electricity as there is no waterwheel.

The museum has a restaurant and gift shop, and a new herb garden is being developed. Summer opening times are 10am to 6pm daily (10am to 5pm in winter).

Further south in the county, the Stroudwater Textile Trust plays an active part in keeping alive the traditions of textile milling in the valleys of the River Frome and the Nailsworth Brook at St Mary's Mill, Chalford; Stanley Mill, King Stanley; and Dunkirk Mills, Nailsworth. The visitor centre at Dunkirk Mills will be open on Sunday, May 9, noon to 4pm.

Egypt Mill, also at Nailsworth, a restored watermill with two internal waterwheels and machinery, is now a hotel and restaurant, and visitors in the bar area can watch it turning.

Stroudwater Textile Trust can be contacted on 01453 766273 for details of opening times later in the year at any of its three mills.