Dotted around Dorset are a number of mills which next weekend are going to be basking in the limelight as part of National Mills Weekend.

This is the annual festival of our milling heritage and provides you with a fantastic opportunity to visit mills, many of which are not usually open to the public. In this, its 30th year, it will take place on May 10 and 11.

Until the advent of the steam engine, wind and watermills provided the only source of power for many different processes – from making flour, paper and cloth to hammering metal and extracting oils. You can explore mills that produced or still produce these products, some restored to working order, some derelict, some still working commercially.

These are the mills open in Dorset as part of National Mills Weekend:

Alderholt Watermill, near Fordingbridge

Grid reference: SU 119 143 OS sheet: 195 Postcode: SP6 1PU From Fordingbridge, take B3078 to Sandleheath. Turn left at sign to Alderholt.

A three-storey watermill restored in 1987 to working order. The small millstream drives a breastshot waterwheel. Producing wholemeal flour during the open season. Cream teas on Saturdays and Sundays. Bed and breakfast accommodation.

Opening times: Easter to September, Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays, 2pm-6pm, Other times by appointment.

National Mills Weekend opening times Saturday & Sunday, 2pm-6pm Contact R. Harte, tel. 01425 653130.

Mangerton Mill, near Bridport

Grid reference: SY 490 957 OS sheet: 193 Leave Bridport on A3066, turn right to Powerstock. Mangerton is one mile further on. Follow brown signs.

A three-storey watermill, part-17th century. Was a grist mill and flax mill, last worked commercially in 1966. Now a workable grist mill with all machinery including a restored overshot waterwheel. Cafe.

Opening times: Easter to mid-October, Tuesday to Sunday and bank holiday Mondays, 11am-5.30pm. Parties by prior arrangement. National Mills Weekend opening times Saturday and Sunday, 11am-5.30pm. Contact Mr and Mrs P. Harris, tel. 01308 485224.

Place Watermill, Christchurch

Grid reference: SZ 160 924 OS sheet: 195 Postcode: BH23 1BY On Christchurch Quay, follow signposts to Priory from A35 roundabouts.

A carefully restored Anglo-Saxon watermill. Waterwheel and other machinery turns. Art Gallery, souvenirs and tourist information.

Opening times: Easter to September, daily except Mondays, 11am-5.30pm. Parties by arrangement.

National Mills Weekend opening times Saturday and Sunday 11am-5.30pm Contact Ann Simon, tel. 01202 495127.

visitchristchurch.info/site/things-to-do/attractions/place-mill-p134833

Town Mill, Lyme Regis

Grid reference: SY 341 922 OS sheet: 193 Postcode: DT7 3PU In Mill Lane, off Combe Street, Lyme Regis.

A stone-built watermill, last worked commercially in 1926. Restoration was completed in 2001 when a Victorian 13ft waterwheel with wooden buckets was acquired from south Devon. This drives two sets of millstones grinding locally grown organic wheat. A hydro-electric turbine installed in 2006 generates electricity for the mill and supplies its surplus to the grid.

Opening times: Easter to October, Tuesday to Sunday and bank holiday Mondays, 11am-4pm.

November to Easter, Saturdays, Sundays and school holidays, 11am-4pm. Parties by arrangement. National Mills Weekend opening times Saturday and Sunday, 11am-4pm (free opening) townmill.org.uk

White Mill, Shapwick, near Sturminster Marshall

Grid reference: ST 958 007 OS sheet: 195 Postcode: BH21 4BX Turn north off A350 from Sturminster Marshall. Mill is over bridge.

An 18th-century lowland three-storey corn mill rebuilt in 1776 on an earlier site mentioned in Domesday. Restored in 1994 by the National Trust after years of dereliction. Double undershot wheel. Much of the original elm and apple wood machinery remains.

Opening times: late March to October, Saturdays, Sundays and bank holiday Mondays, noon-5pm. Admission by guided tour; last tour 4pm. National Mills Weekend opening times Saturday and Sunday, noon-5pm. Tel. 01202 858051. whitemill.org

Sturminster Mill, Sturminster Newton

Grid reference: ST 782 135 OS sheet: 194 Alongside A357 at junction with B3091, half a mile south of Sturminster Newton town centre. Follow brown signs.

A stone and brick watermill dating from the mid-17th and 18th centuries. Powered by a 45 inch Armfield turbine, and maintained in full working order. Mills flour occasionally.

Opening times: Easter to September, Saturday, Sunday, Monday & Thursday, 11am-5pm. Parties by appointment.

National Mills Weekend opening times Saturday and Sunday, 11am-5pm. Amateur radio station and breadmaking demonstration. Contact Peter Loosmore, tel. 01747 854355, or mill, tel. 01258 473760.

sturminsternewton-museum.co.uk