The creative heart of Lyme Regis

The Town Mill

This ancient watermill, set in the artisan quarter of Lyme Regis, was rescued from dereliction by local volunteers, through a ten-year restoration project and is now run as a small charitable trust.

Today, the unique and intriguing story of The Town Mill is recounted by our volunteer millers who mill stoneground wholemeal flour, and keep this special place open for everyone to enjoy.

Nestled around a cobbled courtyard, the restored mill buildings house a working watermill and mill shop, art gallery, as well as a selection of creative, artisan businesses.

Free Entry – Self Guided Mill Viewing

When the Mill is open, you are able to view inside and visit all three floors including the working waterwheel free of charge.

No need to book, come along to the Town Mill Shop & Mill entrance, located in our courtyard and one of our friendly volunteers will be on hand to welcome you for a look around!

The Mill’s regular opening times*:

Saturday        11.00 – 15.00

Sunday          11.00 – 13.30

Monday         11.00 – 15.00

Tuesday         11.00 – 15.00

Wednesday    11.00 – 15.00

Thursday       11.00 – 13.30

Friday            11.00 – 15.00

*Timings are subject to change.

The Malthouse Gallery is open for the 2025 Arts Programme.

News & Events

  • Lyme Regis Town Mill Awarded Grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund

    Lyme Regis Town Mill Trust are delighted to announce that their application for a grant of just over £127,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund has been successful.  The grant, which is part of an almost £200,000 project, will enable the Trust to make a range of improvements, creating a sustainable future for this historic site. Click below to read full article

    Article

  • Millfest at the Town Mill!

    The weekend of May 24th, 25th & 26th will be one long celebration of the rich artisan and craft heritage which is an enduring story in this very special nook of Lyme Regis. With Town Mill boasting a thousand years of history, you can feel its rich heritage and traditions in the very fabric of the place!

    This is a free to visit event - we’re looking forward to a family-friendly celebration and hope we’ve got something for everyone!

    Full information here :

    MILLFEST 2025

  • Our National Lottery Heritage Fund Story - "Where there's a mill, there's a way!"

    The Town Mill Lyme Regis is a mill with an incredible story – and it’s claimed, the best documented history of any mill in the UK. Today, we continue to benefit from all this beautiful site has to offer – but it wasn’t always so.

    Back in 1991, the local district council announced plans to demolish the derelict Town Mill. The legacy of a thousand years of milling here was about to come to an end.

    But a group of local residents came together to oppose the council’s plans. They formed The Town Mill Trust and raised over £500,000 – including the support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund - to finance this brave undertaking of saving the derelict site with the ambition to get the mill wheels turning once again.

    The Town Mill was brought back to life.

    Article

Read more

Volunteer at The Town Mill!

Businesses that call The Town Mill home

Lyme Regis Brewery

Brewery

Lyme Regis Brewery have been crafting award-winning artisan beers on the Jurassic Coast since 2010. The brand, founded in 2010, has established itself as a reputable micro-brewery here in our little corner of the country.

Molesworth & Bird

Artisan

Melanie Molesworth & Julia Bird have been friends for many years, sharing a love of nature and the outdoors, and have both been pressing seaweeds gathered near our homes.  Inspired by these beautiful natural artworks, they are now offering limited-edition art prints of their pressings, as well as greetings cards, postcards, tea towels, cushions, enamelware and framed natural seaweed pressings.

Pottery

Artisan

Situated in what was the original stable block, The Town Mill Pottery retains much of its historic charm – no doubt because the art of pottery is a process even older than the mill itself and so lends itself to the space so beautifully.

Have a look at the range of artisan businesses that call the Town Mill their home.

  • “Fascinating visit to the water mill with our children. Informative and interesting for adults and children alike. Really brilliant place. Volunteer run. Lovely cafe, pottery, gallery and micro brewery too.”

    Helena M, Tripadvisor

  • “An authentic experience that is hard to replicate. It is easy to imagine past lives amongst the sound, smells, sights and vibrations of the water wheel and mill stones. The millers work and talk and give information as well as tell stories. We bought some of the stone milled organic flour and made some bread when we returned home.”

    Sarah, Tripadvisor

  • “MUST VISIT!! Such a brilliant place, free to enter really helpful, informative staff. loved learning all about the mill its history and how it works, at the end you can even buy some flour from the shop and nice little baking sets. In a family group aged 16, 30’s and 60’s and all Absolutely loved the experience!!”

    Laura D, Tripadvisor

  • Stumbled across the mill on our first visit to Lyme Regis. What a find. Lovely, welcoming volunteers and a fab interactive tour of the whole mill. Bought a bag of spelt flour, having learnt all about it and the kids have subsequently baked the recipe we bought from Mary. Delicious scones 😍

    Gemma J, Tripadvisor

Contact us

For more information about mill tours and visits, events at The Town Mill & The Malthouse Gallery, room or exhibition space hire.