Stembridge Mill, High Ham

Stembridge Mill is a four-story stone mill in High Ham constructed from blue lias with a distinctive thatched roof. Inside, two pairs of grinding stones and the original driveshaft remain intact and visible to visitors.

The mill was built in 1822 for Robert Tatchell and initially operated by wind power. After a storm damaged the structure in 1897, it was converted to steam operation and continued working until 1910.

The National Trust maintains the mill as a working example of local agriculture, and you can see how the machinery fills the interior space. The way everything is positioned reveals how central grain milling was to the region's economy and daily life.

The mill sits about 3 kilometers north of Langport and opens seasonally to visitors. Guided tours explain how the traditional grinding mechanisms worked and what visitors can expect to see inside.

This is the last remaining thatched mill of its kind in England, with all its original machinery still in place. The combination of a straw roof on a four-story stone tower makes it a rare survivor from that era.

Location: High Ham

Website: https://nationaltrust.org.uk/stembridge-tower-mill

GPS coordinates: 51.07650,-2.82030

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:08