Tag Archives: mill

Ruffles Windmill

haverhill windmill

An old photographic picture postcard of Ruffle’s Mill in Haverhill, Suffolk, England.

Ruffle’s Windmill in Haverhill was built in 1797 and converted to a eight-spoke circular sail in around 1861. Although this form of sail was used in France it is believed to be the only mill with a circular sail ever used in the British Isles. Unfortunately the mill was demolished during the Second World War as it was thought that it might be used as a landmark by enemy aircraft.

Weare Tower Mill in Allerton

allerton windmill

A wonderful photographic (RP) postcard showing the mill in Stone Allerton in a state of disrepair. This mill can be found on the road between Wedmore and Cheddar. Click image to enlarge.

A photograph of what was left of the Weare Tower Mill in Weare / Stone Allerton, Somerset, c.1910. Shortly after this photograph was taken the mill was converted into a private dwelling house and remains such today. Legend tells of a horse rider being thrown from his horse and killed after it was frightened by the whirling sound of the sails. The mill was last worked in 1880.

Compare this with a recent photograph of the same Allerton mill with attached house (taken from the opposite direction).

Open Days at Stembridge Mill

Visitors Stembridge Tower Mill in Somerset

Visitors to the early 19th century Stembridge Tower Mill in Somerset, south-west England.

Stembridge Tower Mill in High Ham, near Langport, Somerset, is now to be open to the public on the first and third Sunday of each month. 1pm to 4pm. Tickets, which include the admission to the interior of the mill, are priced at £4 for adults, £2 for children. National Trust members get free admittance. These open afternoons are led by the archaeologist, historian and current tenant custodian Simon Haines. He and his assistants will be on hand to answer any questions related to the history of the mill.

The mill grounds are closed to the public at all other times.

More about Stembridge Tower Mill.

Open day at Stembridge Tower Mill

The National Trust opened the interior of Stembridge Tower Mill to visitors for the first time this year today. Here’s a photograph taken around 4pm. One of the custodians can be seen seated at the table in front of the mill, greeting visitors, checking membership passes, and selling tickets to non-members. Two jackdaw nests could be seen up under the roof and parent birds coming and going.

stembridge windmill

An open day at Stembridge Tower Mill in High Ham, Somerset, south-west England.