About the Society

The aim of the Holgate Preservation Society is to restore, maintain and preserve Holgate Windmill (an 18th century windmill in York and the oldest 5-sailed windmill in the country). We aim to produce flour using wind power and to increase knowledge of our national heritage and the traditional skills of milling. We aim to help our community by involving local residents in all our activities.

The society was formed in November 2001 after some local residents became worried about the condition of the mill. At that no work had been done on the mill for a number of years and this resulted in noticeable deterioration to the fabric of this Grade II listed building.

Since then, the society has raised more than £500,000 to complete the of the mill to working order. We now regularly produce our traditional stone-ground flour both for sale in the mill and in local shops, and for artisan bakeries locally. The project would not have been possible without the support of our local community, the people of York, City of York Council and of course our very generous sponsors (see below).

The society currently has over 500 members and raises funds through a variety of means such as open days, sales of merchandise at fairs and functions, and numerous social events organised throughout the year. The society also gives regular talks on the history of the mill to local groups and societies (for more details, contact chair@holgatewindmill.org). 

HWPS is a registered charity and a limited company (Reg. Charity No. 1106115).

Since then, the society has raised more than £500,000 to complete the restoration of the mill to working order. We now regularly produce our traditional stone-ground wholemeal flour both for sale in the mill and in local shops, and for artisan bakeries locally. The project would not have been possible without the support of our local community, the people of York, City of York Council and of course our very generous sponsors (see below).

The society currently has over 500 members and raises funds through a variety of means such as open days, sales of merchandise at fairs and functions, and numerous social events organised throughout the year. The society also gives regular talks on the history of the mill to local groups and societies (for more details, contact chair@holgatewindmill.org). 

HWPS is a registered charity and a limited company (Reg. Charity No. 1106115).

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Holgate Windmill place picture
4.8
Based on 244 reviews
Beth F. profile picture
Beth F.
9 months ago
Really interesting and nice volunteers with plenty of information to share.
Jen profile picture
Jen
9 months ago
Absolutely amazing. Visited on Saturday 6th December. Had a very informative tour which was unexpected but so so useful and interesting. The volunteers there helped to restore the windmill. Just wish I lived closer so I could volunteer too!
DJS profile picture
DJS
11 months ago
Very interesting and informative tour
chrissy F. profile picture
chrissy F.
1 year ago
Have a lovely and informative visit I got a bag of flour and made the most delicious bread it really is worth getting a bag not cheep but worth every penny.
Oksana O. profile picture
Oksana O.
1 year ago
Nice and peaceful area. Hopefully next time I will enter inside
naoki M. profile picture
naoki M.
1 year ago
One of the few 18th-century windmills that has stood the test of time. Flour is still ground here, and you can buy it in the shop on the ground floor. There are even local bakeries that get their flour here. The volunteers are super friendly and guided us through the mill’s different floors. I recommend it for people who want to take a little tour of local historical heritage and buy a rather original souvenir!
John A. profile picture
John A.
1 year ago
Fantastic experience well worth time to vist
Karen B profile picture
Karen B
1 year ago
It wasn’t open but was still interesting to see a windmill in the middle of a roundabout in a residential area.
Andrew N. profile picture
Andrew N.
2 years ago
Holgate Windmill was built in 1770 and operated until 1933. The five story grade ll listed Windmill has been fully restored and is milling flour once again. It is strange to find a windmill in the middle of a road of modern houses. We had a very informative and enjoyable guided tour explaining the workings of the mill. It is very impressive and well worth visiting. A tour is Highly recommended.
Mark L. profile picture
Mark L.
2 years ago
We struck lucky here on a visit to our daughters who lives only a 10 min walk away, the windmill was open on a lovely sunny Sunday morning as part of York unlocked weekends. A working windmill in the heart of a now suburban housing area. The volunteer guides were very helpful and knowledgable and some are the Millers couple of mornings per week. It is in superb well preserved and restored condition. Our 6 year old grand daughter was with us and she thoroughly enjoyed it as did we.
James R. profile picture
James R.
4 years ago
When we visited, it was opened as part of the resident’s weekend in York. The windmill has been beautifully restored and has a very enthusiastic team of volunteers behind its management. It was lovely to walk around and talk to the team involved, and my kids very much enjoyed counting the hidden plush mice. Parking is on the street.
Richard H. profile picture
Richard H.
6 years ago
Beautifully restored historic windmill used for flour milling. Nice place for a half hour walk from central York. Has a small shop selling flour, recipe books and souvenirs. The lady in the shop was very welcoming. Hilltop location offers views back over central York towards and including York Minster. During Covid restrictions you can’t go inside or climb unfortunately, but the shop remains open.