Heritage Open Day

Heritage Open Day – rural skills and fun for all

One of the oldest surviving and best examples of a working watermill in the UK is to hold its annual Heritage Open Day.  Heritage Open Days (HODs) is England’s largest free festival of history and culture. In 2026, it returns with a nationwide programme of open buildings, guided tours, exhibitions, talks, and hands‑on activities. The festival is coordinated by the National Trust and supported by Postcode Lottery players, with events delivered by local organisations and volunteers.

Heron Corn Mill is located in Beetham, halfway between Lancaster and Kendal, next to the River Bela. The mill is important due to its national significance (being a grade II* listed, intact, and operational 18th century corn mill with rare features) but also because of the way it combines traditional and contemporary technology to operate sustainably. The mill – managed by a registered charity – is totally self-sufficient due to a 100kW hydropower turbine installed in 2010 which provides green energy for the buildings and any surplus is sold to local industry which brings in an income. The turbine was designed to work in sync with the old sluice gate and launder which serve the supply to the original 14ft water wheel which still powers the milling machinery today.  

Audrey Steeley, Creative Projects Manager said “We are very much looking forward to our Heritage Open Day this year, there are lots of activities for all the family. Our millwright and trainee will be demonstrating cog-making in the mill, and there will be other rural crafts on site too. There will be refreshments in the barn, with sandwiches, bread, cakes quiches and other delights on offer”.

Further information can be found at www.heronmill.org.