Why You Should Go...

Nestled at the heart of Manotick village, Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square share a remarkable past rooted in Canadian history and industrial ingenuity. Built-in 1860 along the shores of the Rideau River, Watson’s Mill remains active as a working water-powered flour mill and is the only industrial heritage site in Ottawa.

Conveniently located only 25 minutes south of downtown Ottawa, Dickinson Square also boasts Dickinson House, which displays the heritage home of past mill owners, the Manotick Dam, Watson’s Mill’s Famous Used Book Store, and Manotick’s Remembrance Park.

Live milling demonstrations are hosted each week, grinding flour the old-fashioned way. The stone-ground whole wheat flour is then availed for purchase.

Whether you are interested in industrial machines, historic homes, a stroll through the village with the family, or simply feeding the ducks, Watson’s Mill is the ideal site for your Ottawa day trip, providing a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle.

Open daily from May through October from 10 am - 5 pm for Mill events from October to December.

Why You Should Go...

Nestled at the heart of Manotick village, Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square share a remarkable past rooted in Canadian history and industrial ingenuity. Built-in 1860 along the shores of the Rideau River, Watson’s Mill remains active as a working water-powered flour mill and is the only industrial heritage site in Ottawa.

Conveniently located only 25 minutes south of downtown Ottawa, Dickinson Square also boasts Dickinson House, which displays the heritage home of past mill owners, the Manotick Dam, Watson’s Mill’s Famous Used Book Store, and Manotick’s Remembrance Park.

Live milling demonstrations are hosted each week, grinding flour the old-fashioned way. The stone-ground whole wheat flour is then availed for purchase.

Whether you are interested in industrial machines, historic homes, a stroll through the village with the family, or simply feeding the ducks, Watson’s Mill is the ideal site for your Ottawa day trip, providing a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle.

Open daily from May through October from 10 am - 5 pm for Mill events from October to December.

What You Should Know...

Open: Seasonally: May, June, July, August, September, October

Hours:

10:00am - 5:00pm, Daily

Cost: Free

Available: Guided Tour

Milling Demonstrations Sundays, 1 - 3 pm, May - October

Our Honey Oat Bread can be purchased every Saturday and Sunday morning starting at 10am from May to October, as well as at our annual Christmas Craft Market in November and December.

Honey Oat Bread - $5.00

Visit Watson’s Mill’s famous Used Book Store. Open May-October, Daily 10 am – 5 pm. Gently used books at unbelievable prices. It’s a reader’s paradise.

Weekends
(Saturday & Sunday)

Admission by Donation *Suggested Donation $2.00

Ages 12+

Weekdays
(Monday – Friday)

FREE

All Ages

Free guided tours are provided every day of the week!

Watson’s Mill also provides private tours, educational programs, and rental space for special occasions. 

Local building materials were used to construct Watson’s Mill, except for the 8 original millstones, which came from France. Each one weighed 900 kg!

The mill has been in continuous operation since its opening in 1860 with all its original equipment and systems in place.

M.K. Dickinson & Joseph Currier built 4 mills that ran on water power; the saw mill, flour mill (Watson’s Mill), carding mill, and the bung & spile mill.