Wimbledon Windmill
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wimbledon Windmill is a windmill built in 1817, and situated on Wimbledon Common in South West London, England.
The windmill has an octagonal brick base of two stories, above which is a conical tower housing the post, and finally the cap-mounted sails. It is a hollow-post mill, which means that the main post that supports the weight of the structure is hollowed out, and that the rotating shaft which couples the blades to the machinery passes through the inside of this post.
The mill stopped working in 1864, due to a land-dispute. It was then converted into apartments for 6 households. One of the smaller apartments is preserved within the current museum. It is also distinguished by being the place where Robert Baden-Powell wrote Scouting for Boys, which was published in 1908.
It is no longer a working mill, but the mill machinery is still largely intact. The windmill is now a museum, detailing its own history, as well as the history of windmills in general. The museum is open from April to October. It features interactive exhibits, such as push-button models and grain-grinding activities, in addition to visitors being able to explore the layout and use of the actual mill.
The entry-fee is inexpensive, there is a cafe, and the windmill is situated on the common adjacent to both open spaces and woodland. The windmill is highly recommended as a family picnic destination during the summer months.
