An Historic Experience
Some places slow time down. The Grist Mill and Gardens in Keremeos is one of them. A BC Provincial Heritage Site on Upper Bench Road, the Grist Mill has been welcoming visitors since 1877 — when its water-powered wheel first ground wheat into flour. It’s still turning today, making this the last operating waterwheel flour mill in British Columbia.
Come for the history, stay for everything else. Wander heritage gardens planted with colourful flowers, herbs, and an orchard of heritage apple varieties. Browse the gift shop stocked with local preserves and handmade goods. Linger over lunch in the Tea Room, where the menu draws on what’s grown on-site and at neighbouring Similkameen farms. Settle in for the night at the creekside campground, tucked under tall cottonwood trees alongside Keremeos Creek.
Engaging Tours and Memorable Events
The Grist Mill runs a full calendar of events and programs throughout the season — from hands-on workshops and guided heritage tours to the beloved Teddy Bear Picnic, Sunday Suppers, and the annual Heritage Fall Fair. Both self-guided and guided tours are available, with old-fashioned games and activities that make it a natural stop for families. Contact us for on-site wedding pictures.
The Gardens: A Culinary and Visual Delight
The Tea Room at the Grist Mill is a must. Buttery scones, house-made jams, and seasonal fare made from ingredients grown steps away — on-site or at neighbouring Similkameen farms. The gardens themselves are living history: heritage flowers, a working herb garden, wheat and other grains, and an orchard of heritage apple trees lovingly maintained over generations. Keep an eye out for the Zucca Melons in the vegetable garden — a heritage variety that can tip the scales at over 68 kg.
The Grist Mill gift shop carries a thoughtfully curated selection of heritage goods — house-made preserves, scratch-made soaps, tallow balms, beeswax candles, and herbal salves alongside unique art, curiosities, seeds, and books spanning local history, natural history, and regional fiction.
Top Things to Do at the Grist Mill
- Savour the tasty baked goods made from freshly ground flour
- Enjoy scratch-made food at the Tea Room cafe or picnic on the grounds
- Camp or relax by Keremeos Creek
- Watch the authentic watermill in action
- Attend a special event
- Tour the heritage orchard and gardens
- Browse the gift shop for locally made goods
- Take part in the Heritage Fall Fair
- Book a historic-themed birthday party or your wedding!
View Grist Mill Location Map
