Wilton Windmill facts for kids
The Wilton Windmill is a tall brick windmill with five floors. It stands on a chalk ridge between the villages of Wilton and Great Bedwyn in Wiltshire, England. This historic mill is still working today and makes flour!
The Mill's Story
The Wilton Windmill was built in 1821. It was needed because a new canal called the Kennet and Avon Canal had changed the River Bedwyn. Before the canal, the river powered many water mills in the area. But the canal made these water mills less useful, so a new windmill was built.
The windmill worked for about 100 years, until the 1920s. Then, it stopped being used. This was probably because bigger mills that used steam power became more popular.
In the 1960s, the windmill was recognized as a very important building. It was added to a special list called Grade II*. This means it has a lot of historical or architectural value.
In 1971, Wiltshire County Council bought the windmill. They then leased it to a group called the Wiltshire Historic Buildings Trust. This group started to fix up the mill in 1972. By the summer of 1976, the windmill was working again and making flour!
Today, the windmill is owned by Wiltshire Council. It is looked after by the Wilton Windmill Society. This group started in 1976 and is run completely by volunteers. In the 1980s, the mill needed money. So, the Society created a cricket team called the Wilton Millers' Cricket Team. They played games to raise money. Even though they don't need to raise money anymore, the team was still playing in 2011!
The mill still makes flour from wheat grown nearby. You can buy this flour right at the windmill or in local shops.
How the Sails Work
The Wilton Windmill has four large sails, just like when it was first built. It also has a special part called a fantail. This fantail helps the top of the windmill, called the cap, turn automatically. It makes sure the sails always face the wind to catch the most power.
Two of the sails are made of canvas, like strong fabric. The other two are more complex and are called "patent sails." Each of these patent sails has 22 sections. These sections can be adjusted to catch more or less wind, depending on how strong the wind is.
Where to Find the Windmill
The Wilton Windmill is located near several interesting places.
- Nearby towns: Hungerford, Marlborough, Newbury, Swindon
- Nearby villages: Wilton, East Grafton, Great Bedwyn, Burbage, Shalbourne, Pewsey
- Nearby places to visit: Crofton Pumping Station, Kennet and Avon Canal, Wilton Water, Pewsey White Horse
Windmill in Media
The Wilton Windmill has appeared on TV and in a music video!
- It was shown in an episode of Victorian Farm Christmas. This TV show was first on BBC Two on December 11, 2009.
- The windmill also appeared in a short film called Jerusalem. This film starred the pop group The Style Council. It was filmed in 1986 and released in 1987. In the film, the band performs their song Heaven's Above at the windmill.
See also
