Bembridge Windmill - Isle of Wight
- Jennifer Kozyra
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
This little gem really surprised me! Tucked away in the countryside near Bembridge, Bembridge Windmill is a Grade I listed building and one of the Isle of Wight’s most iconic images.
Built around 1700, it last operated in 1913 but still has most of its original machinery intact, making it a fascinating glimpse into the island’s past. With its huge wooden cogs, gears and working mechanisms still in place, it feels like stepping back in time and getting to explore inside made this so much more interesting than I had expected.
It’s a lovely little piece of history and definitely one to add to your Isle of Wight itinerary.
Bembridge Windmill - Isle of Wight Bembridge Windmill - Isle of Wight Bembridge Windmill - Isle of Wight
Top Info
🌾 Last remaining windmill on the Isle of Wight
🏛️ Looked after by the National Trust
👣 Four floors to explore
⚙️ Original wooden cogs, wheels and mechanisms
🐭 Children get a torch to find hidden mice
🎨 Children's craft activities
🍳 Outside wooden mud kitchen
🌿 Gorgeous countryside and views
🥾 Nearby walking routes to explore
🅿️ Free parking on the nearby layby
🛍️ Small shop and ticket office
⏰ Allow around 1 hour
❌️ No Toilets
🥪 Picnics welcome
♿ Accessibility: Wooden ladders inside mean you need to be comfortable climbing and reasonably mobile
📖 Don't forget your National Trust passport for a stamp!
📍Bembridge Windmill, High Street, Bembridge, Isle of Wight, PO35 5SQ https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/isle-of-wight/bembridge-windmill
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I honestly didn't realise before visiting that you could actually go inside Bembridge Windmill. I thought we'd have a quick look around the outside, take a few photos and move on, but there was actually so much more to explore.
Bembridge Windmill is the last remaining windmill on the Isle of Wight and is looked after by the National Trust. And while it's a relatively small attraction, it's definitely one I think is worth visiting
🔍 Inside the windmill
You can climb up through four floors inside the windmill, with each level giving you a glimpse into how it would have worked all those years ago.
The windmill has been carefully maintained, and I loved seeing the huge wooden cogs, wheels and mechanisms still inside. It really helps you imagine what it would have been like when the windmill was actually in use.
There are information boards on each level explaining more about the history and how everything worked, plus a video to watch on the ground floor.
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⛰️And then there are the views...
Once you climb up, you're rewarded with some gorgeous views across the surrounding countryside and coastline out of the little windows.
Just be aware that there are wooden ladders to climb between the floors, so you do need to be reasonably mobile and comfortable climbing them.
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A lovely one for children too 🐭
If you're visiting with children, they get their own little mission to complete.
They're given a torch to take inside the windmill and hunt for the hidden mice. 🐭🔦
There's also a brilliant wooden mud kitchen outside, which is perfect for a bit of imaginative play.
And when we visited there was a craft activity where you could make your own windmill using paper, straws and a hole punch.
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Me and my sister-in-law actually sat down and made one ourselves... even though we'd left the kids at home! 😂
The staff were also really friendly and happy to answer our questions, which always makes such a difference when you're visiting somewhere historic.
Small but definitely worth a visit
Bembridge Windmill isn't a huge attraction, and you probably only need around an hour to explore it, but I think that's exactly why I enjoyed it.
It's one of those places that you could easily overlook when planning your Isle of Wight days out, but it's so much better than you might expect.
So if you're exploring the east of the island, I'd definitely put Bembridge Windmill on your list.
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And if you're a National Trust member, don't forget to take your National Trust passport because you can get a stamp here too. ❤️
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