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Windy days out for kids

National Mills Day There are about 400 mills across the country that are open to the public, a fact celebrated on 11 May, when our industrial heritage sets its sails for a day of activities, many geared especially for children. Some mills will offer free or reduced price entry for the day. The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (0171-377 1644) publishes Mills Open, which gives details of all mills known to be open to the public.

Wimbledon Windmill Museum, Windmill Road, Wimbledon Common (0181-947 2825) This was the site of many duels in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Common's unusual hollow post mill, built in 1817, forms the main attraction, along with a collection of milling equipment to show how the mill would have worked and models depicting the history of windmills. Most of the euipment is robust and child-proof and kids are encouraged to try their hand at the grinding process. Open Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, April to October, 2pm-5pm. Adults pounds 1, children and concessions 50p.

Coldharbour Mill, Uffculme, Cullompton, Devon EX15 3EE (01884 840960) If you don't know the difference between bobbins and a "Pollit and Wigzell drop-valve horizontal cross compound steam engine" this working wool mill and museum can provide answers. From lamb to pullover, the whole process is on display, with tours explaining the machines in action and the life of its 19th-century workers. Open April to October, 10.30am to 5pm daily. Adults pounds 5, children pounds 2.50, family pounds 13.50.

Skidby Windmill, just south of Beverley on the A164, East Yorkshire (01482 884971) A working mill with milling on Sundays. Easter at Skidby on 30 March includes a painted-egg competition and free face-painting. The mill is holding a fund-raising fare on 23 March. Open weekends, 10am- 4pm. Adults pounds 1.50, children 50p, concessions 80p.

Delabole Wind Farm, Deli Farm, Delabole, North Cornwall, PL33 9BZ (01840 213377) Ten wind turbines stationed here provide "green" power for 3,000 households. The visitor's centre explains how - and looks at other renewable sources with the help of working models. Call for opening times.

Museum of Welsh Life, St Fagans, Cardiff CF5 6XB (01222 569441). Wales used to be home to hundreds of corn mills, driven - as this one is - by water. Three floors of grinding and lifting machinery turn grain into feed under the miller's supervision. Open Easter to October, 10am to 6pm. Adult pounds 5, children pounds 3.75, concessions pounds 3.75.

Tormlston Mill, nine miles west of Kirkwall (A965), Orkney. Sympathetically converted to include a craft shop, visitor's centre and restaurant. Although no longer working it has retained most of the original machinery and waterwheel. Open from April, Mon to Sat, 9.30am to 6.30pm, Sunday 2-4.30pm.