Quainton Windmill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Quainton Windmill |
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Buckinghamshire's tallest working windmill
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| Origin | |
| Mill name | Quainton Windmill |
| Coordinates | 51°52′32″N 0°54′59″W / 51.87558°N 0.916377°W |
| Operator(s) | Quainton Windmill Society |
| Year built | 1830-1832 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | tower mill |
| Storeys | Six storeys |
| No. of sails | Four sails |
| Type of sails | Patent sails |
| Windshaft | Metal |
| Winding | Hand winded via chain and wheel |
| No. of pairs of millstones | One |
Quainton Windmill is a very old and tall windmill located in the village of Quainton, Buckinghamshire, England. It was built between 1830 and 1832. This impressive brick tower mill stands 70 feet (20 meters) tall and has six floors. It's one of the most easily seen buildings in the village.
For much of the 1900s, the windmill was not used. However, it has now been fixed up and can grind wheat into flour again. James Anstiss built the windmill, and his family still owns it today. It is the tallest windmill in all of Buckinghamshire.
History of the Windmill
Quainton Windmill started its life using wind power to grind grain. It even had a steam engine added early on to help with the work. The mill continued to operate until 1900, when it stopped grinding flour.
For many years, the building sat unused. By 1974, only a small part of one sail was left. That year, the owner created the Quainton Windmill Society. Their goal was to bring the windmill back to life. The Society worked for 23 years to restore it. In 1997, the windmill was finally able to grind flour again!
Why the Windmill is Special
In 2013, the windmill's importance was officially recognized. Its listing status was upgraded from Grade II to Grade II*. This means it's considered a very important historic building.
Here are the main reasons why it's so special:
- Its Design: The windmill's design and its machinery show how it was built for a specific job. It also shows how it was changed over time to use new technology.
- Still Working: The original parts and machinery inside the mill are still there and work properly.
- Very Rare: It is a tall, six-story windmill, making it the third tallest in England. It's also unusual because its steam engine was placed inside the mill itself.
Recent Updates and Safety
In 2013, experts carefully checked the windmill's structure. They used a giant "cherry-picker" machine to get a close look at every part. Their report showed that some of the main wooden parts at the top were weak. These parts could be damaged by strong winds. The large sails and the fantail (which helps turn the mill into the wind) put a lot of force on these timbers.
To keep the windmill safe, the sails and the fantail were removed in December 2013. This helps reduce the stress on the old wooden parts.
Visiting the Windmill
You can visit Quainton Windmill on Sundays. It is open from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. The windmill is open during the months of March through October.
See also
