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 millwright was
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.
Some of the bricks have been incised with the names of the Millwright and the Owners, and the
date of the start of the works. Milling by wind continued intil about 1890. A steam engine was
installed early in the mill's life but was removed for scrap at the beginning of first World War.
The mill originally had three pairs of stones, one of which is extant and in working order.
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 failed and had
to be replaced. The new ones were fitted in 2005. It is intended to be milling flour for sale
during 2006.
All the work on the mill has been by a dedicated team of local volunteers, with the active and
enthusiastic support of the owner, Colin Dancer, who is a descendant of the original 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 |