Waltham Mill near Grimsby and is a huge six sailed tower windmill. We went expecting great things but were disappointed. Even though the wind was blowing, the mill wasn’t working. Although it was open, the woman behind the table in the ground floor seemed bored and uninterested. There was a small exhibition on the ground floor and small hand quern (but no wheat to grind). Entry was £1.50 and as there was no guided tour or attempt to welcome us, we didn’t bother. If you want to see a working windmill, North Leverton in Nottinghamshire is much better.
The area around the mill has been developed as a tourist attraction with shops. These include an old fashioned sweet shop with walls lined with glass jars of sweets, a cake hop concentrating mainly on cup cakes (am I the only one who thinks these are over-rated?) and a Country Wear shop. A couple of units were empty. There is a small snack bar in an old railway carriage selling hot and cold drinks and ice creams at reasonable prices. The cafe was shut and concentrates on Indian food. There is a small play area and picnic tables.
There is a small rural museum. This is a real step down memory lane with mainly 1040 and 50s artifacts with an old kitchen, living room and dining room, old clothes as well as information about Waltham in WW2. There were few labels but it was staffed by two elderly volunteers who were delighted to see visitors. Entry is free but donations welcomed.
On Sunday afternoons from April to October, the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Model engineering Society run a miniature railway on the site. When we visited there were two engines in steam with a diesel in reserve. Trips are 50p all ages and it is a good run around a double looped track through a tunnel, over a bridge and past the signal box. This made the day for engine mad Grandson and redeemed what would have been a disappointing visit for us.
The model railway gets 10*; the museum 7* but the mill only mill 5*
