Sneinton: Free science workshop at Green's Windmill today
Green's Windmill remains closed for repairs, but families can still visit for a free drop-in science workshop this Easter, alongside other hands-on activities at the site’s science centre.
Morning briefing Nottingham
Temperature
9° to 21°C
Rain
Dry today
Wind
Gusts 12 mph
Sunset
19:51
Ride details Good to ride
Recommended gear
- Jacket
- Light layers
Best times to ride
Breezy today
- 06 9°
- 09 11°
- 12 16°
- 15 20°
- 18 21°
- 21 20°
Although its iconic windmill remains closed, there are still reasons to go along to Green's Windmill this Easter. Today, for instance, there is a free science workshop for children.
The windmill might be the main draw to the top of the hill in Sneinton, but the science centre is the real reason to go. Cool Science is a workshop developed and presented by Pete Wearn, a research scientist and former school teacher of 29 years. Pete cites his old Head of Physics as an inspiration to his career, which shows that getting children interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects early can have a big impact on their lives.
Green's Windmill was built by a miller, Mr Green (whose first name seems hard to come by). It was his son that is considered the key actor of the place though, especially from a scientific perspective. George Green, born 1793, was a remarkable mathematician whose work is still in use today. Ellen March is a Physics postgraduate from Texas; in a comment left with her donation she said, "Green is my hero. Hope to buy flour when the mill reopens!"
There is still some wait until that happens. In November 2025, it closed for £685,000 worth of repairs when the trustees said the works would last for up to 52 weeks. In a conversation with Nottingham Post, we've learnt the new date is now Easter 2027.
The windmill and surrounding science centre is managed by the Green's Windmill Trust on behalf of City Council. Although they knew the repairs would trigger a decline in footfall, Denny Plowman, treasurer for the Trust, said, "We've been here for 14 years and our finances have gone up and gone down, it's quite erratic. Just at the moment, we're in a little bit of a downturn."
Cool Science will run from 11am until 3pm today, with the science centre opened for an extra hour afterwards. The workshop is a drop-in one, so no ticket is needed. It is a free event, but the organisers ask for donations to support their work. There are other events this week too: tomorrow, there will be scone baking. On the 11th there is bread baking for children.
