Eling Tide Mill Experience
Eling Tide Mill Experience
4.5
Wednesday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Grade II* listed Eling Tide Mill, which has stood at the centre of life in Eling for centuries, is one of only a handful of working tide mills left in the UK. The Eling Tide Mill, its gift shop, adjacent Visitor Centre, Mill Café and the surrounding riverside walks, combine to form The Eling Tide Mill Experience. Visitors can step back in time and enjoy learning about the workings of the newly restored mill and discover how the tide is harnessed to power the centuries old machinery. The mills fascinating story and history continues in the Discovery Room where interactive displays include opportunities for visitors of all ages to get hands on with quern stones and a working model of a tide mill. Wholemeal and brown flour, freshly milled on site, is available to buy in the mills gift shop or can be enjoyed in some of our breads and cakes in Mill Café along with lots of other delicious menu cakes in Mill Café along with lots of other delicious menu choices.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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4.5
107 reviews
Excellent
61
Very good
29
Average
10
Poor
5
Terrible
2
bradleysprake
Southampton, UK36 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
Family visit long over due. Lived in area for 15 years and finally visited. Great for the whole family and better than expected. Staff were welcoming & helpful, which added to the experience. Lots of history, interesting local stories & well presented. I would highly recommend a visit to the mill, mill experience & cafe ( value for money & good food). Additionally, I would recommend a short walk to St Mary’s Church which dates back to the Saxon era & local walks. Perfect morning or afternoon to entertain the family that doesn’t break the bank, providing an opportunity for some culture, history & to burn off some of the kids energy levels.
Written 22 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are absolutely delighted that you finally got to visit us and that you thoroughly enjoyed your visit. Thank you so much for taking the time to post view, it really does mean a lot.
Written 26 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Steve B.
4 contributions
Sep 2022
The Eling Tide Mill was very interesting for a Visit. We were a mixed group of 19 from a Car Club and they coped very well with this number.
The Mill was fully operation at the time and the master Miller was on hand to answer all of our questions. The Engineers amongst us found it very interesting. The Experience Museum was very interactive and interesting we were even given a bag of wheat to mill.
The café coped very well with our number and the standard of food was excellent. The sandwiches were made with the Flour from the actual Mill.
The Mill was fully operation at the time and the master Miller was on hand to answer all of our questions. The Engineers amongst us found it very interesting. The Experience Museum was very interactive and interesting we were even given a bag of wheat to mill.
The café coped very well with our number and the standard of food was excellent. The sandwiches were made with the Flour from the actual Mill.
Written 5 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for visiting us, we are really pleased you enjoyed all areas of your visit. We hope you will tell family and friends.
Written 26 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
EuroHampshire
Southampton, UK140 contributions
Jul 2022
I've been meaning to visit the Eling Experience for some time since it reopened a few years ago. Today I was in the area and managed to do just that but... it did not really live up to my expectations. The actual Tide Mill was as interesting as ever, with a wide ranges of books, cards, souvenirs, local produce and, perhaps most importantly, flour ground at the mill. However, while I realise that protective panels have to be put up in the name of health and safety, which consultant decided that the clear sections should be framed by ugly, silver coloured supports? These are not in keeping with the age of the mill and should have been made of a material that would not have looked quite so out of place. Also, a new wooden staircase at the end of the mill was too modern for its environment. As for the museum and cafe across the road, where has all the character gone? The original flagstones have been disgracefully covered up with some modern floor room, the old tea room which once had character is now a rather bland looking education room while the new purpose built cafe looks more like a staff canteen than anything else. The museum exhibits where very corporate in appearance and, other than the Tide Mill, didn't really say much about the local area which has, according to what I have read, has a much more fascinating history than just the Tide Mill. Perhaps my expectations were too high but, apart from the stainless steel visible in the mill, the Tide Mill is the only part of the Eling Experience worth experiencing. The museum is uninspiring and the staff canteen... I mean, cafe... lacks any character one would expect with this type of attraction. A lot of money has clearly been spent on restoration and development of the Eling Experience but, if it had been my money, I would be asking for most of it back!
Written 9 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am really sorry to hear that we did not meet your expectations. All materials were carefully considered by the Conservation Officer for both aesthetics and also practicality, however, the decision was not to try and replicate the existing materials in the mill. The Visitor centre flooring was chosen for acoustics and DDA reasons. Again the key themes and story lines over the site were carefully chosen and fell in line with what visitors wanted to see, the key USP for this site is the mill and its story. On a final note, I am really sorry to hear that the cafe also disappointed, as when you reviewed it back in 2018, you were very complimentary. We appreciate all feedback and once again are sorry you did not enjoy your visit.
Written 26 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
papapp
england267 contributions
Jun 2022
lovely little tide mill great location ideal for a quick stop off Love the area around Eling and Marchwood
Written 24 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for taking the time to send us your positive review, much apprecited.
Written 26 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MarkMahoney
Aldershot, UK1,823 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
Really interesting mill in a real pleasent area. Lovely setting overlooking the water. Nearby is a picnic area and great walks
Written 26 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. We are glad you enjoyed your visit.
Written 3 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
knott101
Southampton, UK200 contributions
Sep 2021 • Friends
Somewhere suitable for both young and old. If you want to see the mill turning then do check the tide times that they publish on their website. Highly recommended to see it in action. Nice walks from there. Good , reasonably priced cafe and a hands on experience room. Great fun! All in all good trip out
Written 17 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your positive review. We appreciate it and hope to see you again this year.
Written 3 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ScubaWendy
Billericay, UK41 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
We found this place by accident when we were looking for somewhere to stop for a few minutes. What a find!
The mill was really interesting and the interactive bits were good too. Our kids are 4 and 8 and they loved the worksheets to do. The lady in the shop was so helpful, telling us all about the mill and the walks. We bought a crabbing bucket, bait and lines and she told us the best place to crab from where the boats moor. We caught loads of crabs.
Then we had a lovely lunch in the tea rooms.
There was a nice short circular walk along the river with lots of birds. Sadly we didn’t spot the kingfishers. Then we walked down to a bit on the estuary where we watched the boats being loaded up on the other side.
After spending about 5 hrs here (not sure how), we never did make it to where we were supposed to be going!
The mill was really interesting and the interactive bits were good too. Our kids are 4 and 8 and they loved the worksheets to do. The lady in the shop was so helpful, telling us all about the mill and the walks. We bought a crabbing bucket, bait and lines and she told us the best place to crab from where the boats moor. We caught loads of crabs.
Then we had a lovely lunch in the tea rooms.
There was a nice short circular walk along the river with lots of birds. Sadly we didn’t spot the kingfishers. Then we walked down to a bit on the estuary where we watched the boats being loaded up on the other side.
After spending about 5 hrs here (not sure how), we never did make it to where we were supposed to be going!
Written 22 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your review. We are so glad that you found so much to do and really made the most of your visit. We hope to see you again.
Written 3 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Pete D
Ringwood, UK132 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Lovely little mill with loads of original workings. Best to visit when it’s running to see how it works properly if you can.
Check the tides.
Worth a visit for an hour or two and take one of the walks around as well.
Parking free over the toll bridge.
Check the tides.
Worth a visit for an hour or two and take one of the walks around as well.
Parking free over the toll bridge.
Written 21 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review, we appreciate it.
Written 3 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stephalaylee
London, UK12 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
We had a lovely time walking around Bartley lake, up to goatee beach, in the mill, the visitors centre and the cafe! A big thank you to Pauline in the mill who told my son (5) a great story about a boy who worked at the mill …. Brought it to life! Visitors centre was interactive and fun!
Written 30 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your positive feedback, we are so glad you all enjoyed your visit. We pride ourselves on our great customer service, so I'll pass that on to Pauline. We hope to see you again one day.
Written 18 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Laura P
Par, England, United Kingdom15 contributions
Jun 2021
A sudden change in the weather led to myself and my two grandchildren 11 and 8 years old seeking an indoor place of interest, and what a find ! Beautiful setting for an extremely interesting and well presented attraction. We were the only people there and we weren’t disappointed. Friendly and helpful staff showed the old mill of to. It’s advantage and we’re willing to answer questions. The educational centre opposite was packed with hands-on exhibits which kept the children busy, including grinding their own flour. Very competitively priced admission and well worth the money. Definitely the best value attraction we have visited for a long time. Thank you for a great afternoon.
Written 2 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are so pleased that you enjoyed your visit and particularly that you found the children in your group were kept interested too. This is so good to hear and also that you think we are good value for money. Thank you for taking the time to post such a positive review. Helen Robinson, Manager.
Written 1 July 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Claim your listingELING TIDE MILL EXPERIENCE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Eling Tide Mill Experience
- Eling Tide Mill Experience is open:
- Sun - Sun 10:30 - 17:00
- Wed - Fri 10:30 - 17:00
- Sat - Sat 10:30 - 16:00
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- (0.34 mi) Ivy's Bed and Breakfast
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- (0.07 mi) The Anchor Inn
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- (0.35 mi) Shapla Tandoori Takeaway