Wiltshire Tourist Guide - Articles
Wilton Windmill
Wilton Windmill stands high above the village of Wilton near Marlborough in Wiltshire on a site that provides magnificent views of the surrounding hills.
Visitors please note that Wilton village is not to be confused with the ancient town of the same name close to and just west of Salisbury in the south of Wiltshire County.
Wilton village lies just off the A338 between Hungerford and Burbage in Wiltshire. It can also be reached by train from London (Paddington Railway Terminus) to (Great) Bedwyn station from where you can walk or cycle the 3.5km to the mill. You can also walk from the village along the towpath then left at Crofton Crossing up the Roman Road.
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.
It 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 windmill 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.
It is fully operational today 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.
Parties can be accommodated by special arrangement, providing a volunteer is available to take you round. Please contact us to arrange your visit.
The mill is but a short ride from Marlborough and close by many other sites of historical and architectural interest. A day visit to the windmill could be combined with a walk in the ancient Savernake forest or along the nearby Kennet and Avon Canal towpath to the pretty village of Great Bedwyn. There is so much of interest in this undiscovered part of England and the visitor could do no better than to start their journey of discovery at the windmill.
Wilton Windmill
Visitors please note that Wilton village is not to be confused with the ancient town of the same name close to and just west of Salisbury in the south of Wiltshire County.
Wilton village lies just off the A338 between Hungerford and Burbage in Wiltshire. It can also be reached by train from London (Paddington Railway Terminus) to (Great) Bedwyn station from where you can walk or cycle the 3.5km to the mill. You can also walk from the village along the towpath then left at Crofton Crossing up the Roman Road.
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.
It 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 windmill 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.
It is fully operational today 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.
Parties can be accommodated by special arrangement, providing a volunteer is available to take you round. Please contact us to arrange your visit.
The mill is but a short ride from Marlborough and close by many other sites of historical and architectural interest. A day visit to the windmill could be combined with a walk in the ancient Savernake forest or along the nearby Kennet and Avon Canal towpath to the pretty village of Great Bedwyn. There is so much of interest in this undiscovered part of England and the visitor could do no better than to start their journey of discovery at the windmill.
Wilton Windmill