One of Essex’s most important historic landmarks is set for a new lease of life after securing £1.6 million in heritage funding. Thaxted Windmill, the last remaining windmill in the area and a Grade II* listed building, will undergo extensive restoration work to return it to working order.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has committed £1.3 million to the project, with Historic England providing an additional £300,000 to save the 219-year-old structure, which has been on the Heritage at Risk register since 2019.
Built in 1804 for local businessman John Webb, the red brick tower windmill operated for a century as the largest and most advanced mill in Thaxted. However, the historic building now suffers from extensive internal damp and widespread mould due to eroded brickwork and open joints.
“This significant investment is about more than preserving bricks and mortar,” says Trudi Hughes, Architect/Surveyor at Historic England. “It’s about keeping precious heritage skills alive and creating a vibrant community asset for generations to come.”
The restoration project will include comprehensive repairs to the brick tower, windows, doors, and wood panelling. Crucially, the windmill’s mechanism – including its sails, winding gear, and internal milling machinery – will be restored to working condition.
The project also aims to develop heritage skills through open days and apprenticeship opportunities, addressing the growing shortage of traditional building and millwrighting expertise. Plans include creating sensory experiences, managing the surrounding landscape for biodiversity, and developing educational materials about the mill’s history.
Local residents interested in supporting the restoration can contact the project team via johnwebbswindmill@gmail.com.
Leave a Reply