Heritage Open Day - From Lighthouses to Lightbulbs – a history of Queen’s Mill

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From Lighthouses to Lightbulbs – a history of Queen’s Mill

Saturday 19 September 2026

See Queen’s Mill waterwheel, designed by John Smeaton, and hear about the 2,000-year history of milling in Castleford.

The site will be open from 10am to 4pm, with talks at 11am and 2pm.

On Saturday 19 September, Queen’s Mill will be welcoming visitors to see our waterwheel, our grinding stones and how we still mill wholewheat flour today. Our breastshot waterwheel is designed by John Smeaton, who was better known for designing lighthouses. The number of our grinding stones made us the largest stone grinding flour mill in Europe, if not the world! Talks about the history of the mill will be taking place at 11am and 2pm. Come and find out about the healthy eating ideas of Dr Allinson, and how the electric lightbulb plays its part in the Queen’s Mill story.

Children’s activities and refreshments will be available throughout the day.

No booking required.

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