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Home Local Walks Operations Contacts Restoration Car Days
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Wilton Mill Wilton Windmill stands high above the small village of Wilton, near Marlborough in Wiltshire, on a site that provides magnificent views of the surrounding hills. The mill is the only working windmill in Wessex and was originally built in 1821 after the new Kennet and Avon canal had been built. This canal was built over and through the site of some local watermills and the pumps providing the water for the canal also lowered the river levels so that the remaining watermills were no long viable. The mill was in operation for 100 years, however with the introduction of new steam roller mills and fast production of cheap bread it became unwanted and was abandoned. It then fell into disrepair. However the mill was finally restored to its former glory in 1976, by a team of dedicated volunteers. It is managed and operated by the Wilton Windmill Society who use the mill and provide guided tours, whilst the mill is still owned by Wiltshire County Council. The mill was built as a traditional tower mill with a fantail which turns the Cap, to ensure that the sails always point into the wind. The mill has four sails in total, two Patent, which can be quickly activated and two common canvas sails, which have to be set before the mill starts to turn. The mill is fully operational, and produces small quantities of stone ground whole meal flour for sale as a souvenir of your visit. During opening hours, guided tours are offered, as well as access to the Windmill Ground floor Information centre. The mill is open on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays between 2 and 5pm, Easter until the end of September. There are also other days it is open for special events. We also accommodate parties by special arrangement, providing a volunteer is available to take you round. Please contact us to arrange your visit.
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The mill has recently had a major internal refit and a re-paint. We now also have a formal display area on the ground floor. The display gives details on the history of the mill and its renovation. There is also a wonderful display of how the mill is used to create flour from local grain, along with artifacts and a life-size model of a miller circa 1890.. We are also pleased to present an Audio/Visual display where visitors can see footage of the mill in its full working glory, starting with hauling sacks up the mill, and following the grain down through the mill, into the stones, being milled and finally emerging as flour.
Last Season's Classic Car Day The Windmill was a perfect location to meet fellow Classic and Vintage enthusiasts, and on Sunday 17th of September Wilton Windmill held a Classic / Vintage Car day. The mill was open and there was be BBQ and Homemade Cakes where available at the refreshments caravan. The day started, and was attended by over 50 cars from all over the south of England. Do
You Have a Little Beauty In The Garage?
Wilton
Windmill is located close to the Village of Wilton, off the A338
between Hungerford and Burbage in Wiltshire. It can also be
reached by rail. Trains run from Paddington to Bedwyn
station,
from where you can walk or cycle the 3.5km to the mill. There are
some hills! You can also walk from Great Bedwyn along the towpath
then left at Crofton Crossing up the Roman Road. (See local walks
page) |
