The tower mill is the tallest in Buckinghamshire, being 65ft to the top of
the brickwork and another 8ft to the top of the cap. The cap is a very early example
of galvanised sheet wrought-iron work, unique in that it has no ribs or substructure apart
from stays to stop it blowing away.
Construction of the mill started in 1830 and was completed in 1832. The millwrights were
William Cooper of Aylesbury, whose accounts are deposited in the County Record Office.
The clay for the bricks was dug on site and fired in a temporary kiln set up in an adjacent field.
The stones forming the foundations of the mill were quarried from Quainton Hill just North
of the mill. Bricks on the west side of the mill have been incised to show the names of the
builders, millwrights and owners with the date of the start of the works. Milling by wind
was superseded by the installation of a steam engine early in the mill’s life. This was removed
for scrap at the beginning of the first World War and at about the same time one pair of
stones and its gearing was sold and it is thought that this was probably when milling ceased
at the mill.
The Quainton Windmill Society was formed in 1974 with the objective of restoring the mill
to working order. This was achieved in 1997, however the suit of sails then fitted quickly
failed and the society had to set about making replacements. The new sails were fitted in
2005 and the mill is now milling flour.
All the work on the mill has been by a dedicated team of local volunteers, with the active and
enthusiastic support of the mill owner, Colin Dancer, who is a direct descendant of the first
owner James Anstiss. |
INFORMATION
Open Times:
Sundays throughout the year, 10.00am - 12.45pm and by arrangement.
Location:
Quainton is 6 miles North West of Aylesbury, and lies between the A41 and A413.
Map
Contact:
P Tooms,
Secretary,
Quainton Windmill Society
Tel: 01296 655306
E-mail: patrick@tooms.fsnet.co.uk
Price:
Adult £1.00, Child 50p, Family £3.00 |