Bembridge Windmill Information for schools 2011 
Welcome to Bembridge Windmill, the only surviving windmill on the Isle of Wight. We hope that the following information will help you to plan and enjoy your visit. You are also welcome to make a free, preliminary visit, by arrangement.
Tours
All school groups are conducted around the windmill by an experience volunteer guide and tours are available from mid March to the end of October each year, excluding August. Groups must be accompanied at all times by a teacher or other responsible adult.
The windmill is quite small inside so groups are limited to 15 children plus accompanying staff. Larger groups will need to be split with some children and staff waiting outside. Tours last around 45 minutes but can be tailored if you timetable does not allow for this – please could you indicate on the booking form if time is limited.
Facilities
Please note that unfortunately there are no lavatories at the windmill. The nearest facilities are in Bembridge village.
There is a small kiosk selling ice cream, hot and cold drinks, biscuits and sweets plus souvenirs, postcards and pocket money toys.
Free parking is available in lay by.
You are welcome to picnics on the grass surrounding the windmill (there are no tables) or in the adjoining field which is sometimes grazed by our Hebridean sheep.
Accessibility
From the lay-by the windmill is approximately 100 yards down a track. Vehicular access is generally prohibited but please be aware that occasionally there may be delivery vehicles or cars belonging to one of the few residents using the track. Once inside the windmill steep steps lead to each of the four floors. Handrails and grab rails are available and we recommend that visitors come down the steps backwards for safety and ease.
Other visitors
As school tours are conducted during normal opening times, there may well be other visitors at the windmill. Please ensure that the members of your group are aware of this and respect their needs.
Charges
1 Admission Fees for School Groups who are not National Trust Education Group Members
The admission charge for non EGM visits to Bembridge Windmill in 2011 is £1.30 per child and £2.65 per adult.
Most educational groups take out National Trust Educational Group Membership (EGM) as this is often cheaper than paying for individual students and teachers. EGM is based on the number of pupils on the school role. Membership lasts for 12 months and can be used to gain free entry to most National Trust properties (including all the other National Trust properties on the Isle of Wight.)
As an Education Group Member you will receive:
the annual Members’ Handbook
the Guide for Education Visitors
the Trust's membership mailings three times a year with the National Trust Magazine and Trust Tracks, the poster-format newsletter for young members
Plus free planning and preparation visits to sites for group leaders.
Membership entitles card-holders to make as many pre-booked visits during the year as required. Group leaders are also entitled to make free planning and preparation visits to sites. Such visits should also be booked in advance as this enables the property staff to familiarise leaders fully with the site being visited.
EGM can be arranged at the Windmill on the day of your visit and current subscription charges are:
To join under 50 pupils on role £34.50 51 – 100 £57.50
101 – 200 £70.00
201 – 500 £73.50
Over 500 £85.00
This type of membership covers colleges, scouts etc.
Educational not school £109.00
Membership Prices are valid until 28th February 2012
2 Admission Fees for National Trust Education Group Members
Education Group Members are admitted free.
Existing Education Group Members must bring a valid membership card on the day of the visit. If you are unsure about your membership status, please telephone The National Trust Membership Dept 0870 458 4000 who will be happy to help. If your membership has lapsed a new membership can be taken out at the Battery on the day of your visit.
3 Guided Tour Fees
The cost of the tour for the first 15 children is £10, and then there is a charge of £7.50 for each additional group of 15.
Over to you
In order to make the most of your visit your school is responsible for:
v Completing your own risk assessment
v Making sure the adult to child ratio is sufficient to ensure adequate supervision
v Providing a first aider, equipped to deal with the needs of your group
v Ensuring the school has £5,000,000 of public liability insurance.
A copy of our own risk assesment is available on request.
Once again, we hope that you and your students enjoy your time at the windmill and look forward to welcoming you. If you need any further information please do not hesitate to contact us.
For a booking form please email:isleofwight@nationaltrust.org.uk
Tel (01983) 741020 IOW Estate Office or (01983) 873945 Bembridge Windmill