National Trust - Bembridge Windmill — Attraction in Bembridge

I understood the basics from books about the general workings of windmills. This visit was a learning experience, how did they lift such heavy millstones into place? On first entry in I was met with a video showing how it worked introducing the names of parts of the windmill as well as viewing a general history. At this lower level was a scale model of the windmill showing how each mechanism interacted with each other. I found the mechanism to be a fascinating structure that not only grinds but lifts weights up through trapdoors with automatic closing of doors. The detailing of this mechanism was amazing it used numerous levers that enabled folk to lift heavy loads with ease and was beautifully designed to perform it's role and all with the aid of wind power. I recommend this for families as there were games and informational signs ideal for young children. Be warned though to see all levels of the structure there are narrow steps leading...

I was pleasantly surprised by our visit!

For a national trust property it is on the small side and this is reflected in the £7 entrance fee (free for under 5), and a good place to go as a young family unless it's raining or very cold.

The staff were knowledgeable and friendly. They took into account who we had in our group (2 adults and a young child) and gave us a full briefing on what might appeal.

The lighthouse has 4 floors and each floor has a family of toy mice for the children to look out for. The stairs or rather ladders between the floor are very steep.

Outside there was brass rubbing, with paper and crayons provided. There was also a wonderful little mud kitchen. Finally there is the opportunity to make paper windmills, if you wish to do so.

Parking was limited to a layby and on a busy road. We also had a slight scare with a postal van driving up the road marked for no cars, so just...

This is another awkward review. The windmill is lovely to see, although is no longer working. Work has been done to maintain the exterior and a small surrounding grass area. The interior is accessible (not disabled-friendly for apparent reasons). Each level has an audio guide (if you can find the button to press and realise what it is for) and a small panel to try and use to identify the components. This would have been much better with more prominent labels on the parts as the diagrams took me an age to decipher. My biggest issue was the cost. £6 per person for a brief 10-minute visit (and I looked and read everything I could). My disabled mother was charged to sit in the garden and look at photos in a folder, which she gave up on as she couldn't read...