This year’s MILL FEST isn’t just a celebration - it’s a milestone of the millstones!
This year’s MILL FEST isn’t just a celebration - it’s a milestone. You could even say it’s a milestone of the millstones!
Over the Bank Holiday Weekend of May 23 - 24 - 25, we’re marking 25 years since Town Mill was saved from dereliction and given new life in the heart of Lyme Regis. What was once abandoned has become a place of creativity, craft and community - and MILL FEST is our way of celebrating that journey.
Set against a backdrop of over 1,000 years history, the weekend brings together milling, artisans and visitors in a shared appreciation of heritage and handmade. It’s chance to experience the Town Mill area as it is today : alive, evolving and full of character.
FREE TO ATTEND - open to all, MILL FEST is a relaxed, family-friendly celebration - and we’d love you to be part of it.
Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. Our 25th anniversary celebrations across the Bank Holiday weekend which mark the mill being re-opened to the public after complete dereliction, are made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we are organising Mill Fest - a free to visit, open to everyone event celebrating everything heritage and handcrafted.
MILL FEST AT A GLANCE
FULL WEEKEND ITINERARY
SATURDAY MAY 23rd
IN THE MILL
1100 - 1600 : Town Mill open to visit - FREE ENTRY ALL THROUGH THE DAY
1130 - 1200 & 1430 - 1500 : MEET THE MILLER
STONEGROUND MILLING DEMONSTRATION
We will be demonstrating how we mill DORSET-GROWN MARIS WIDGEON grain from TAMARISK FARM in West Bexington, near Bridport - see how we produce our small batch flours from the finest organic grains using ancient stoneground methods which we are passionate about keeping alive in today’s modern world.
FREE TOWN MILL RECEIPE CARD WITH EVERY PURCHASE OF MILL FLOUR
1100 - 1300 & 1400 - 1600 : MAKE A SILVER CHARM
WITH RESIDENT SILVERSMITH, LUCY CAMPBELL
Create your own real silver stamped charm in this special pop-up jewellery workshop being held inside the mill. Stamp letters, numbers or symbols to make your own unique charm to take home! Practice first on copper to refine your technique before crafting your final piece in silver. Expect the activity to last 30 mins. The finished charm and your copper practice pieces will be finished with a jump ring ready to wear or take home as a special keepsake of Lyme Regis and this special weekend!
There’s no need to book but spaces will be limited so make sure to pop along early.
(Jewellery making is a payable-on-the-day event suitable for age 16 and over)
IN THE MALTHOUSE GALLERY
1100 - 1600 : HAVE A GO AT MILLING
Have a go at milling your own flour using our hand-powered tabletop mills. This simple, hands-on experience lets you “feel” the process of milling for yourself - bringing to life how grain becomes flour, before discovering how the same process is powered by water on a much larger scale in the mill.
1100 - 1600 : THE BOAT BUILDING ACADEMY EXHIBITION
Celebrating the heritage craftsmanship being nurtured in the heart of Lyme Regis, the Boat Building Academy - the UK's last specialist training centre dedicated to traditional wooden boat building - will be showcasing an exhibition of boats, furniture, paddle and surf boards and other hand crafted works emerging from the students at the internationally renowned academy. Meet the Boatbuilders every day throughout Mill Fest and discover the traditional techniques behind every beautiful piece.
AROUND THE SITE
1200 - 1400 : LIVE MUSIC - MARTA KALNINA - Saxophone
1100 - 1500 : LIVE MUSIC - CHOCOLATE & CHURROS
Delicious Saturday Mill Fest treat being served up by the Strawberry Tree
1100 - 1600 : TOWN MILL POTTERY
Demos throughout the day by Master Potter, Harry Anderson
1100 - 1600 : MOLESWORTH & BIRD - SPOT THE SEAWEEDS
Identify the lovely British Seaweeds collected freshly from Lyme Bay
1000 - 1700 : JEWELLERY BY LUCY CAMPBELL
Demos throughout the day by guest jeweller, Natalie Manifold - in the shop
Sunday May 24th
IN THE MILL
1100 - 1600 : Town Mill open to visit - FREE ENTRY ALL THROUGH THE DAY
1130 - 1200 & 1430 - 1500 : MEET THE MILLER
STONEGROUND MILLING DEMONSTRATION
We will be demonstrating how we mill RYE grain from Priors Farm and learn about the specific qualities of RYE as a flour. See how we produce these small batch flours from the finest organic grains using ancient stoneground methods which we are passionate about keeping alive in today’s modern world.
FREE TOWN MILL RECEIPE CARD WITH EVERY PURCHASE OF MILL FLOUR
1100 - 1300 & 1400 - 1600 : SOMERSET WOOLSHED
The fantastic Lynne Evans from SOMERSET WOOLSHED will be demonstrating ancient wool spinning techniques using fleece from Somerset and Shetland sheep. Wonderful quality hand-spun and hand dyed yarns available to buy.
IN THE MALTHOUSE GALLERY
1100 - 1600 : HAVE A GO AT MILLING
Have a go at milling your own flour using our hand-powered tabletop mills. This simple, hands-on experience lets you “feel” the process of milling for yourself - bringing to life how grain becomes flour, before discovering how the same process is powered by water on a much larger in the mill.
1100 - 1500 : THE BOAT BUILDING ACADEMY EXHIBITION
Celebrating the heritage craftsmanship being nurtured in the heart of Lyme Regis, the Boat Building Academy - the UK's last specialist training centre dedicated to traditional wooden boat building - will be showcasing an exhibition of boats, furniture, paddle and surf boards and other hand crafted works emerging from the students at the internationally renowned academy. Meet the Boatbuilders every day throughout Mill Fest and discover the traditional techniques behind every beautiful piece.
AROUND THE SITE
1300 - 1500 : LIVE MUSIC - HOT JAVA - Funky Sunday vibes
1500 - 1530 : LIVE MUSIC - LYME BAY MOONRAKERS - Sea Shanties galore
1100 - 1330 : TOWN MILL POTTERY
Demos throughout the day by Master Potter, Harry Anderson - just pop in!
1100 - 1600 : MOLESWORTH & BIRD- SPOT THE SEAWEEDS
Identify the lovely British Seaweeds collected from Lyme Bay freshly this morning
1100 - 1130 & 1400 - 1430 : OLIVE OIL TALK & TASTINGS
These fantastic free-to-attend olive oil tastings with a short talk will be hosted by Ed Pemberton from Strawberry Tree Restaurant - BAKEHOUSE STUDIO
(Please note : the Bakehouse Studio is a first floor space that can be accessed by stairs only)
