List of windmills in Wiltshire facts for kids
Have you ever wondered how people used to grind grain or pump water before electricity? For hundreds of years, windmills were super important machines! They used the power of the wind to do all sorts of jobs.
This article explores the history of windmills in Wiltshire, a county in England. You'll learn about the different types of windmills that once stood here. Some are still standing today, while others are just old sites. Get ready to discover how these amazing structures helped people long ago!
Contents
What are Windmills?
Windmills are buildings with large blades or sails that catch the wind. The wind makes the blades spin, and this spinning motion powers machinery inside. Most windmills were used to grind grain into flour. This was a vital process for making bread and other foods.
Some windmills were also used for other tasks. They could pump water, saw wood, or even crush materials. They were a key part of daily life before modern engines.
Types of Windmills
There are a few main types of windmills you might find in Wiltshire:
- Post Mills: These are some of the oldest types. The whole body of the mill, which holds all the machinery, can turn on a central post. This allows the mill to face the wind no matter which way it blows.
- Tower Mills: These mills have a fixed tower, usually made of brick or stone. Only the cap (the top part) and the sails turn to face the wind. This design made them stronger and able to hold more machinery.
- Wind Engines: These are often smaller, metal structures. They were mostly used for pumping water on farms or estates. Many of the windmills in Wiltshire were this type.
Famous Windmills in Wiltshire
Wiltshire has been home to many windmills over the centuries. Some are still standing, showing us a glimpse into the past. Others are just historical sites where a mill once stood.
Wilton Windmill: A Working Treasure
One of the most famous windmills in Wiltshire is Wilton Windmill. It's a beautiful tower mill located near Great Bedwyn. This mill was built in 1821. It's special because it's still in working order today!
Volunteers help to keep the mill running. They sometimes grind flour using the power of the wind. It's a fantastic place to visit and see how these old machines worked. It shows us how important wind power was before electricity.
East Knoyle Windmill: A Historic Landmark
The East Knoyle Windmill is another important tower mill in Wiltshire. It was built around 1800. This mill stands tall and is a well-known landmark in the area.
While it doesn't grind flour anymore, it reminds us of the past. It shows how windmills were once a common sight across the countryside. It's a great example of early 19th-century engineering.
Chiseldon Mill: A Mill on the Move
The Chiseldon Mill is a tower mill with an interesting story. It was originally built in Chiseldon in the early to mid-1800s. But it didn't stay there!
This mill was later taken apart and moved to Swindon. It shows that even large structures like windmills could be relocated if needed. Today, it stands as a reminder of Swindon's history.
Bradford on Avon Windmill: A Tale of the Wind
The Bradford on Avon Windmill was a tower mill built around 1808. It had a short working life. Around 1818, a strong wind blew off its cap and sails. This shows how powerful nature can be!
After this damage, the mill stopped working. Today, you can still see the tower. It stands as a silent reminder of its past. It tells a story of both human ingenuity and the forces of nature.
Other Windmills and Wind Engines
Wiltshire had many other windmills, including a lot of "Titt iron wind engines". These were smaller, metal windmills. They were often used on farms to pump water for animals or crops. They were very useful for local communities.
Here are a few other notable windmill sites:
- Aldbourne: This village had windmills as early as 1311. One tower mill was demolished around 1900.
- Devizes: There were two tower mills near Devizes Castle built around 1720. They were later demolished or became part of the castle.
- Ludgershall: A post mill here was mentioned in 1773 and gone by 1810.
- Shrewton: This area had post mills, with one mentioned in 1793 and gone by 1899.
Many of these windmills were used for a period and then either fell into disuse, were damaged, or were replaced by newer technology. They all played a part in the history of Wiltshire.
Images for kids
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Bradford on Avon Windmill, now without its cap.
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The historic East Knoyle Windmill.
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Wilton Windmill, still working today!
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Chiseldon Mill, moved to Swindon.
Sources
- Andrews' and Dury's maps of Wiltshire, 1773 and 1810
