Rayleigh Windmill is due to reopen its doors to the public at the end of the month. 

The award-winning, Grade II-listed windmill which dates back more than 200 years, re-opens its doors to the public on Sunday, March 30.

It contains a museum, an exhibition space and information about Rayleigh Mount - the site of an early medieval motte and bailey castle.

The windmill is open every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday until September 28, barring private events. Entry is free of charge but donations are welcome.

The building will also form part of the national Mills Open Weekend on May 10 and 11 when volunteers will dress up in traditional costume and run guided tours.

Visit England, the national body that assesses visitor attractions throughout the country, has accredited the Rayleigh Windmill as a Quality Assured Visitor Attraction.

The following exhibitions will take place on the second floor of the building his year:

Sunday 30 March – Sunday 27 April

Rayleigh Library Writers Group The Rayleigh Library Writers Group have been meeting and writing short stories and poems since 2002. They have to date published six anthologies, with all profits donated to charity.

Currently this is the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Service. The group won a First Prize Certificate in the David St John Charitable Trust annual awards, co-sponsored by the publishers of Writing Magazine for their first anthology in 2005, and in 2013 were awarded a special certificate by The Chairman of Rayleigh Town Council in recognition of fundraising and services to the town.

Wednesday 21 May – Sunday 22 June

Richard Argent Essex has a rich and varied history and Richard tries to capture some of the essence of this in his cartoons. Richard hopes his drawings provide an entertaining way to showcase life, past and present, in our county.

Richard is also embarking upon a new project of London and London football clubs, a city which he finds endlessly fascinating.

Saturday 26 July – Sunday 10 August

Rayleigh Through The Looking Glass 2014 is the centenary of the outbreak of World War 1 and this exhibition will show photos and give details of what life was like in Rayleigh 100 years ago. It will also tell the story of some of the Rayleigh men who fought in the conflict including those that did not return.

There will be two additional open days to mark the anniversary of the outbreak of the war: Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 August from 10:00am – 1:00pm.

Wednesday 25 June – Wednesday 23 July

Martha Haversham ‘Bark’ Inspired by her local Essex saltmarsh and using boat-building off-cuts in larch, oak and mahogany from Harker’s Yard, Brightlingsea; artist Martha Haversham returns to her love of the East Anglian coast for a solo exhibition of colour and texture, bark rafts and alternative voyages.

Wednesday 13 August – Sunday 28 September

Sails in The Wind This exhibition presents the bright and colourful 200 years of the Windmill through film, oral history recordings and photos.

The Windmill is open on Wednesdays from 10am until 1pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 1pm until 4pm.

There will be two additional open days to mark the anniversary of the outbreak of the war, on Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 August, from 10am until 1pm.

The windmill also hosts weddings, and will be closed for certain private events, so it is recommended that before you visit you either visit the website at www.rochford.gov.uk/windmill or call Rochford District Council’s Leisure Team on 01702 546366.