About
Combe Mill is the original ‘power house’ of the old Blenheim Palace Estate – a Victorian steam and water-powered sawmill now operating as a working museum.
A grade II* listed building, it offers visitors a fascinating insight into the work that went on behind the scenes of the Blenheim Estate over the last century.
Your personal guide will take you through the history of the compact site and the crafts that kept the Mill working.
Visitors get a real feel for the past as they enter this authentic building, where they can talk to the volunteers operating the machinery and demonstrating lost skills, many of whom are retired engineers and craftsmen who love to reminisce.
This is a ‘true black fingernail museum’, with plenty of hands-on activities to challenge and entertain all age groups.
Refreshments are available in the riverside tea room and there is also a grassy picnic area, with mature riverbank trees. Traditional ploughman’s lunch (bread, cheese, pickle, salad) or cream tea (scones, cream, jam) can be pre-ordered and there is disabled access to all elements mentioned.
On a Wednesday or 1st Sunday of the month (March-October) a group of visitors would have almost exclusive access to the site.
Outdoor picnic benches on river bank or seating inside tea room, as required. Friendly personal service.
Mill exhibitions/forge/engines are all inside the Mill buildings, wrap up warm if it is cold outside.
Booking
Price: £40 per person. Traditional plughman's lunch or cream tea can be added to the experience for an additional cost.
Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours.
Capacity: Minimum of 4 people and maximum of 12 people.
Opening: March to October, every Wednesday or 1st Sunday of the month for visitor groups to have exclusive personal tour.
Booking: Advance booking required. To book please contact the trade contact below.
Facilities
Language: Guests will need a basic knowledge of English to fully appreciate the experience.
Parking: Plenty of parking for cars on site. Minibus/small coach space can be reserved with advance booking.
Accessibility: Parking on site, tea room area, and disabled toilet accessed easily by all. Lift to upper floor of Mill for exhibition space. Slight incline alongside grass area on river bank. Access for all regardless of fitness, compact site.
Special requirements: Working forge, Mill and outside grassy areas – sensible clothes/walking shoes for working industrial museum/rustic venue.
Trade contact
Julie Stuart-Thompson
bookings@combemill.org
01993 880378
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