School visits to Stretton Watermill are FREE! We offer a range of workshops to support National Curriculum topics. A visit includes a guided tour of the fully working watermill where pupils will see wheat being ground into flour, hear and feel the rumble of the ancient machinery, help to work a sack hoist, and witness the power of the waterwheels.

In addition to your tour we have a range of hands-on workshops, linking to watermill themes and supporting the curriculum.

Watch our short film 650 years of History at Stretton Watermill.

Tudor Rural Life

Discover the daily life of the miller’s family in 1596, handle a range of period artefacts and try out some country tasks.

Victorian Country Life

Experience a day in the life of 19th century countryfolk, try buttermaking, milking a (model) cow, birdscaring and some games of the period.

Forces and Motion

A chance to experiment with model cogs and gears, learn how they work and how they help the mill. Also, try out a fun experiment with pushes and pulls using waterpower.

Wildlife Study

A mini-safari exploring the varied habitats of the mill, collecting evidence and spotting the many creatures that live around the mill environment.

Harvest

An ideal workshop for September and October. Learn why people celebrate at harvest-time, discover traditional harvest tools and make a straw dolly to take away.

All of the above workshops are free to schools. We also offer the following exciting workshops with our nearby partners, though there is a charge for their part of the day.

Air Raids & Evacuees

Spend a morning with our partners at the Cheshire Military Museum, finding out about air raids on cities during WW2. Practice gas mask drill, use a stirrup pump and air raid sirens. Then be “evacuated” to Stretton Watermill to Dig for Victory and help the miller grind corn for the war effort. (A charge of £2.50 per pupil applies for this workshop, call 01606 271640 for details)

The World Turned Upside Down – Civil War in Cheshire

Spend a morning with our partners at Beeston Castle, managed by English Heritage, finding out about how the English Civil War affected the lives of Cheshire people in the 1640s. Handle a range of artefacts, act out stories from the siege at Beeston, try on helmets and explore the castle to see how it operated during the Civil War and see a spectacular view of the Cheshire plain which Crown and Parliament fought to control. Then move on to Stretton Mill to take a tour and see how the newly re-built mill of 1630 was affected by the Civil War. Discover the struggles of ordinary country folk trying to maintain their farms amidst the chaos of war and try out some of their tasks. (A charge of £75 per class applies to the Beeston Castle part of the day. The mill workshops are free of charge and available separately if wished. Call 01606 271640 for more details.)

Workshops are available from March until the October half-term break – as a historic site it gets very chilly in winter!

We can accommodate 35 pupils for a half-day visit, and about 50 for a whole day. The mill is a rural site and so please bring waterproofs and sensible shoes as part of the work is outside. If you are planning a residential trip to Beeston, Burwardsley or Tattenhall Outdoor Education Centres, we can make an ideal visit as we are close by and fit in well with the outdoor and rural themes; many schools visit us on their way there or back.

We have also created some special workshops for schools based on their suggestions, so please do ask if you think we could help you. We’re pleased to tailor the content and structure to your needs and help you get the most out of your visit.

If you would like more details or arrange a visit, then please contact us via our main office at the Salt Museum, on 01606 271640 or you can email the Education Officer