Two south London windmills in Wimbledon and Brixton you can visit

Windmills were once an integral part of the agricultural landscape in the UK, converting wind power to mill grain to produce flour.

Today you can still find two windmills in the south London areas of Brixton and Wimbledon and explore their history going back hundreds of years.

Brixton Windmill

Where: Windmill Gardens, Blenheim Gardens, Brixton, London, SW2 5DA

Brixton Windmill dates back to 1816 (Image: Friends of Windmill Gardens)

Located in Blenheim Gardens, Brixton’s Windmill is the only surviving windmill of the 12 that used to exist in Lambeth.

The windmill was first built in 1816 before it was later leased to the Ashby family, where it was used for many years before its sails were removed and turned into storage.

After falling into disrepair after the late 60s, the Windmill received a grant from The Heritage Lottery Fund enabling a restoration project led by Friends of Windmill Gardens and Lambeth Council, before it opened again in 2011.

Brixton windmill offers tours once a month (Image: Friends of Windmill Gardens)

Today the windmill operates as a working windmill producing flour, which is sold to the public on open days as well as local retailers.

The windmill offers tours on the second weekend of every month from March until October, with tickets bookable for £5 a person for tours lasting 30 minutes.

During a tour, you’ll be able to see the original wind-powered machinery, and the smaller stones installed by the Ashby family in 1902 that were driven by steam to mill grain.

Wimbledon Windmill Museum

Where: Windmill Road, Wimbledon Common, London, SW19 5NR

Wimbledon Windmill has its origins in the 18th century (Image: Wimbledon Windmill)

Located on Wimbledon Common, this 18th century windmill was part of a cluster of water and steam powered corn mills in Wandsworth that were responsible for producing flour on an industrial scale.

The mill was in operation for many years, until it stopped working in 1864 when the Lord of the Manor, the 5th Earl Spencer, intended to built a manor house on the site of the mill.

The announcement was opposed by locals with a legal battle lasting six years, before it was handed over to the local community.

Today Wimbledon Windmill operates as a museum (Image: Wimbledon Windmill)

The mill was later restored in 1893 resulting in a number of changes, with much of the mill being converted to living accommodation.

Following a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund in 1999, the sails were restored and the museum was extended to the ground floor, although one room still remains as it would have been in 1870.

A grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund in 1999 enabled restoration work (Image: Wimbledon Windmill)

Today the windmill operates as a museum with exhibits for adults and children on the history of windmills and the milling industry.

Admission to the museum is free with donations welcome, and guests are able to visit from March 30 until October 27.