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Calbourne Water Mill to close to the public

Calbourne Water Mill Geese on the river bank with Calbourne Mill in the backgroundCalbourne Water Mill
Calbourne Mill was mentioned in the Domesday Book

A historical watermill and tourist attraction is to close to the public, its owners have announced.

Calbourne Water Mill on the Isle of Wight has one of the oldest working watermills in England.

But the Chaucer family, who have owned it since 2000, say changing tourism habits and mounting repair costs mean it is no longer viable.

Its last day of opening will be Sunday 14 April. An auction of the museum's artefacts will be held on 4 May.

Owner Sally Chaucer said the mill was in a "transition phase" and she was investigating new ways to safeguard its history and long-term future.

Calbourne Water Mill Shattered drive wheel at Calbourne Water MillCalbourne Water Mill
The shattered pit wheel has been replaced but it still needs teeth and wedges before it can turn

She said: "The history is amazing and we need to make sure that's preserved, but we had to make a decision on how to continue."

Mrs Chaucer paid tribute to her adult children, who also run the business, and "amazing staff" who are "more like family".

"It's been a really hard time," she said.

In March 2023, the attraction launched a £60,000 fundraising appeal after a 140-year-old pit wheel shattered, leaving the mill unable to operate.

Although the appeal only raised £2,390, the pit wheel was replaced, but costly specialist work is still needed, including new teeth and wedges, before the mill wheel can turn again.

Calbourne Water Mill Historical buildings in a green setting at Calbourne Water MillCalbourne Water Mill
The mill will close to the public after 14 April 2024

To make matters worse, recent storms brought down a tree, damaging a barn and vital maintenance equipment inside.

The attraction re-opened for the new season last Friday, announcing it would be the "last chance to see the watermill as it has been since 1964".

It will open daily from 10:00 to 16:00 BST until 14 April with the exception of 8 and 9 April. The café and adventure golf is due to open during the summer.

Mrs Chaucer, who is also a parish councillor, said previous negotiations to sell the attraction and some of the land had fallen through.

Calbourne Mill was mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086. In recent times, it produced 60 tonnes of flour and oats a year.

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