Holgate Windmill, York

Posted on by Fee Hudson
The photo shows Holgate windmill. The stone body of the windmill is painted black and it has 5 white sails. The windmill is stood on a road about in the middle of the road, behind it is some red brick semi-detached houses. In front of the windmill in the middle of the road stands Andy; a tall man in his forties wearing black trousers, white trainers and a light grey hoodie. In front of him is Pip; an 11 year old girl wearing blue jeans, black shoes and a grey sweatshirt. She has light brown hair tied back and glasses. They are stood with their arms out to the side like windmill sails.

This was such a fun place to visit and a total surprise. Firstly because it’s in the middle of a housing estate, you drive up a road of normal houses and suddenly there is a windmill on a roundabout in front of you. Secondly because it’s a working windmill and it’s so interesting to look around.

Holgate Windmill is run by volunteers and still mills flour so while it’s an old building, inside is clean and fairly modern looking, well as modern as a windmill can be. The restorations have been done so sympathetically that you can’t always tell which have always been there and which are the new bits needed for modern life.

The windmill is laid out over 4 floors, each accessed by a set of steep steps. There were volunteers around to tell you about the history of the windmill and how everything works but there is also lots of information to look through at your own pace from posters on the walls to folders of information to look through. To keep the younger visitors entertained there is a scavenger hunt around the windmill with a number of rats (cuddly and cute) to search for.

The photo show the steep, ladder like steps leading up to the second floor. In the background is a stone floor and wooden shelving units. On the units are brown paper bags of flour and there are two brightly coloured floral canvases on easels in front of the shelves.
The photo shows big brown bags of grain stacked on a wooden floor in front of a white stone wall. On the wall is a large information sign with details about the windmill and there is a small window to the right of the photo.
The photo is looking down on a large, round wooden bin in the middle of the room with wooden supports going in to it. On the white stone walls behind it are hung large, brightly coloured, floral canvases.

Accessibility

Due to the very steep stairs that are almost ladders the windmill is not for those with mobility issues or very young children.

Opening times

The Windmill is run by volunteers so currently only opens Wednesday and Friday mornings 10-12:00, when the mill is working and milling and Saturday mornings 10-12:00 and Sundays 1-4:00 from 1st April until 29th October. Entry is £3 for adults and £1 for children, under 5’s are free.

There are various other open days and events throughout the year and Santa will be visiting in December.

Check for opening times and events here.

Getting there

Holgate Windmill can be accessed off Acomb Road and Poppleton Road. Full directions can be found here.

Parking

The Windmill is on a residential street and there is plenty of on road parking nearby although you are asked not to park on Windmill Rise at it is a narrow road and will cause obstruction for the residents that live there.

Gift Shop

For a little windmill there is a surprisingly comprehensive gift shop selling all kinds of flour milled on site as well as magnets, tea towels and souvenirs.

The photo shows a set of wooden shelves containing brown paper bags of flour. On top of the shelves is an old framed painting of a windmill, a cuddly rat and a canvas of purple flowers. To the right is a brightly coloured floral canvas.
The photo shows a sign which says: Oh no! The cat has fallen asleep and rats and mice are hiding all over the mill! How many can you spot? Come and tell us at the till to claim your sticker. The sign also shows 4 photos of different mice and rat teddy bears.
The photo shows the gift shop. In the centre there is a thin glass cabinet which contains a model of a windmill without the front wall so you can see inside. To the right are wooden shelves containing brown paper bags of flour. To the left are wooden shelves containing souvenirs such as mugs and magnets. A tea towel and tote bag are hanging from the shelves. Above the left shelves is a large canvas painting of a poppy.

Nearby Attractions

York Cold War bunker is a 10-15 minute walk from the windmill. If you fancy a break for a spot of lunch or a coffee then Bluebird Bakery is just around the corner from York Cold War bunker and we’d definitely recommend it.

We visited in October 2023

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