The Norfolk Windmills Trust - Excursions

Days out by car in the summer

(please see Windmills page for details on opening times)

Route 1: Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, Bank Holidays Little Cressingham Wind and Watermill (exterior only), Denver Corn Mill

From Norwich take B1108 for Watton. Drive straight through Watton and soon after turn right for Little Cressingham. Mill and pumphouse. Viewable from exterior only, but very pretty site, by the river, perfect for a picnic. Alternatively, have lunch in the village Pub.

Return to B1108 and travel west until you join the A1065. Turn left for Mundford. At Mundford turn right along the A134. Follow signs to A1122 Downham Market. Turn left at the roundabout for A10 and look out for the sign to Denver on the right. Denver windmill is on the far side of the village. Denver sluices can also be visited.

Return to Norwich via the A1122 and A47.

Route 2: Second Sunday of the month Billingford Corn Mill, Old Buckenham Corn Mill

From Norwich take the A140 south towards Scole. At Scole take the A143 towards Bungay. The Mill is on your right. Have elevenses or lunch at the Horseshoes Pub next to the Mill. Travel back along the A143 and continue to Diss. At Diss take the B1077 towards Attleborough until you reach Old Buckenham. The Mill at Old Buckenham will be signposted on Open days.

Return to Norwich by returning along the B1077 and turning left on to the B1113.

Route 3: Third Sunday of the month Billingford Corn Mill, Old Buckenham Corn Mill (exterior only), Wicklewood Corn Mill

From Norwich take the A140 south towards Scole. At Scole take the A143 towards Bungay. Billingford Mill is on your right. Have elevenses or lunch at the Horseshoes Pub next to the Mill. Travel back along the A143 and continue to Diss. At Diss take the B1077 towards Attleborough until you reach Old Buckenham. In the village keep to the B1077 which branches off right, and then turn left along the bottom of the Green. The Mill is on your left - please park in the car park.

Return to B1077 for Attleborough and follow signs to A11 for Norwich. Turn off left into Wymondham. Get onto the B1135 Dereham, but turn off left soon, following signs to Wicklewood. Signs for the Mill will be up on Open Days.

Return to Wymondham and take the A11 back to Norwich.

Route 4: Fourth Sunday of the month Gunton Park Sawmill

From Norwich take A140 north towards Cromer. Continue past Aylsham and soon after passing Alby Craft Centre turn right towards Hanworth. Gunton Park Sawmill is in Gunton park. Do not go through archway, but continue around the sharp bend - track to Sawmill is on your left.

Return to Norwich via same route, or continue your trip by visiting Blickling Hall, near Aylsham. Lunch and teas available there and at Alby Craft Centre.

Route 5: Every day in summer Six Drainage Mills: St Olave's, Stracey Arms, Thurne, How Hill

From Norwich take the A146. Turn left on to B1136 at Hales. Turn left on to A143 at Haddiscoe and park in St Olaves village. St Olaves drainage mill can be seen next to the footpath which runs north along the river, near the shop. St Olaves priory can also be visited in the village.

Continue along the A143 to Great Yarmouth. Have lunch in Gt Yarmouth, or continue on to the A12 and join the A47 towards Acle. Stracey Arms drainage mill is on your right.

Continue to Acle, and at the roundabout, turn right on to A1064 and then branch off left on to the B1152.

[Optional diversion. Check Open Day details for opening times. Follow signposts left for Thurne. Mill is at end of quay. Lunches available at Pub]

Follow B1152 to Bastwick and turn left on to A149, and then left again on to A1062 for Ludham. In the village, follow signs for How Hill. Three mills are visible from the river bank - Clayrack, Boardman;s and Turf Fen. Also in summer, there are electric boat trips around the Nature Reserve and access to the Toad Hole Cottage museum.

Return to Norwich via the A1062 and A1151, perhaps stopping in Wroxham for tea.