The Sarehole Mill Museum showcases the fascinating history of the Sarehole Mill where you can see the 18th-century splendour that influenced famed writer J.R.R. Tolkien. While there has been a watermill on this site since 1542, the current mill dates back to 1771.

Anyone interested in history can enjoy a visit to this museum. The fascinating displays and the historic mill itself draw in people for the architectural allure and intricate machinery. Most people spend about an hour or 2 on site, as that's how long it takes to make it through the museum.

Sarehole Mill Museum in Birmingham - one of the highlights of 10 Things to Do in Birmingham off the Beaten Track and 10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Birmingham (Read all about Birmingham here)

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Sarehole Mill Museum highlights

Historically, the water wheels at this mill were powered by a steam engine. While the original engine is long gone, the current engine that dates to 1975 is on display and is still functional. It's of a similar size and capacity to the original, so it offers an idea of how this mill worked back in the 18th century.

One of the most well-known aspects of this mill is that it's located right across the street from J.R.R. Tolkien's childhood home, less than 300 yards away. Tolkien cited this mill and the surrounding areas as an influence for the world of 'The Lord of the Rings'.

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Good to know when visiting Sarehole Mill Museum

While the museum certainly has much to offer, one of the more recent additions to the mill is the on-site modern bakery. You can top off your museum adventure with fresh bread and even fresh pizza.

When visiting this museum, you'll find yourself close to several other notable landmarks as well, such as Moseley Bog, an alluring natural preserve area that also played a major role in influencing Tolkien's works. Note that the mill is about 2 miles south of Birmingham proper, so you'll need to plan a bit of travel to visit.

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Sarehole Mill Museum in Birmingham

Localização: Cole Bank Rd, Birmingham B13 0BD, UK

Abre: Wednesday–Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm (closed Monday–Tuesday)

Telefone: +44 (0)1213 488160