For Families

Visit

Sarehole Mill is a lovely place for families to visit, enjoy nature, and explore a historic watermill.

Rich in local history, it offers the chance to learn how the mill once ground flour — and even inspired J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings.

The Grounds and Woodland Realm

Enjoy FREE access to the grounds at Sarehole Mill during opening hours. Bring a picnic and make the most of our free garden games too — from Giant Jenga to Skittles, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Little ones will love exploring our free Woodland Realm, a small area of forest next to the Mill Pond. In this area families can:

  • Explore enchanting creations by local sculptor Graham Jones.
  • Look out for the many birds and animals that call the pond home.
  • Get moving on the balance beams and make music on the Wall of Sound.
A wooden sculpture with the words 'Woodland Realm' carved into it.
The Woodland Realm

Outdoor Explorer Backpacks

Adventure awaits in the great outdoors! Get ready to explore the beautiful grounds at Sarehole Mill with our Outdoor Explorer Backpack. Packed with everything young adventurers need, these kits are perfect for curious children — and inquisitive adults too! Recommended for children aged 4–11 years, or anyone with a curious mind and a love of nature.

Each backpack includes:

  • A magnifying glass to get up close to nature
  • Binoculars to spot things in the distance
  • A bug hunting jar to observe mini beasts
  • A butterfly net for catching fluttering creatures
  • Tweezers to handle delicate natural treasures
  • A spotter’s book to help identify your discoveries
  • A blanket to sit back and relax in the sunshine

Cost: £3.50 per backpack. Hire them from our ticket desk and use in our free-to-access gardens.

Backpacks are limited and issued on a first come, first served basis.

Our Events

There are a variety of family activities to take part in throughout the weekends and Birmingham school holidays. Our What's on page has all the details.

A child sitting at a table drawing on a piece of paper.
What's On

Image gallery

  • Two brick-built buildings meet to from a corner of a brick-paved courtyard.
  • People walking up a path to brick-built water mill building, fence and millpond to the left and planting to the right of the people.
  • A child wearing a flower headband while playing a small wooden garden game.
  • Saucepans and chime interactive hanging in the woodland realm.
  • A man standing next to a wooden sculpture of a large leaf.
  • A wooden sculpture with the words 'Woodland Realm' carved into it.
  • An adult and children inside the mill building wearing historic replica clothing.
  • A child inside a room in the mill looking at something through a magnifying glass.
  • A child touching an interactive on the wall inside the mill building.
  • An adult and two children inside the mill with wooden fencing around the machinery.
  • Two smiling children wearing handmade flower headbands holding their painted artworks.
  • An adult pouring water on to a model waterwheel.

Useful Information

  • There is no lift at Sarehole Mill due to the historic nature of the building.
  • Pushchairs can access the ground floor and first floor of the mill only (these are left at your own risk).
  • Baby changing in ladies toilets.
  • Under 3s are FREE to visit. See the tickets page for all the admission prices.
  • If you want to visit multiple times at Aston Hall and our other sites then you can become a Birmingham Museums Member and can enjoy 12 months days out to all our sites.