Calbourne Water Mill & Rural

Newport Road, Calbourne, Isle of Wight PO30 4JN

Tel: 01983 531227

Website: www.calbournewatermill.co.uk

On the B3401 between Newport and Freshwater, the Water Mill is just one of many attractions on an 10-acre landscaped valley site which no visitor to the island should miss. A mill on this site was mentioned in the Domesday Book and a fine example of a 17th century Water Mill is still working today. In 1963 it was opened as a tourist attraction by the family that had owned the mill since 1878. The present owners have continued to develop the sites historic importance.

The Domesday Book records 34 water-powered mills on the island, and the Calbourne Mill is the last survivor. For centuries it used the traditional stone grinding process, but modern technology caught up with it in the late 19th century, when an additional roller plant was constructed in 1894 by Henry Simon. The plant was driven by a portable steam engine which was replaced in 1970 by a suction gas engine that gave reliable service for the remainder of the mill's working life. Milling takes place every day at 3pm except Saturday, producing flour for the bread and cakes which are on sale in the café and shop.

Apart from the terrific cakes and pastries, the café sells sandwiches and floured baps, filled jacket potatoes, miller's (ploughman's) platters and main meals such as burgers, deep-fried plaice or chicken breast with a wild mushroom sauce. At teatime, the clotted cream tea is a treat that should not to be resisted.