Buying & Restoring A Windmill

Finding A Windmill To Buy
Buying A Windmill
Restoring A Windmill
Obtaining Planning Permission & Conservation Issues
Useful Contacts

Are you looking for a special type of home? One which is full of tradition, romance and character? Then why not buy your very own piece of our great British heritage - a windmill? Here's a buyer's guide.

By Sacha Markin

Evidence of windmills in Britain dates right back to the 12th century and, although a large number have been lost or destroyed over the years, many still exist across the country today, even if few are actual working mills. In recent times, many mills across the UK have been saved from demolition as historic buildings with character have been rescued and converted into beautiful homes.

Although there are few windmills that haven't been repaired or converted to some extent, there are many mills which were renovated during the last century and have since fallen into disrepair so once again need restoration. With this is mind, it is worth noting not only is restoration costly, so is the on-going maintenance. Buying and restoring a windmill is quite different from renovating any other kind of home, but windmill restorations can be assisted by the local council, English Heritage and several organisations such as the Historic Building Advisory Service (HBAS). Remember windmills will usually have a lot of stairs, so you need to be pretty fit, and keen to live in the 'round'!

Finding A Windmill To Buy

If you fancy living in a windmill, where do you start looking? Although they can be found across the UK, there do seem to be largely across the central swathe and eastern areas of England. A sensible starting point would be to contact the mills section at The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) to express your interest. The SPAB publish a quarterly list featuring old buildings that need work, and these range from the derelict ones to those which basically need some minor repairs. They also have a 'properties list' page on their website, which is likely to be more up to date than the quarterly list (as it may feature properties already under offer).

The SPAB can offer advice and information, but remember many organisations such as the SPAB are looking to protect windmills and believe they should remain as working buildings wherever possible, so they may view a home conversion as a last resort. Yet there are fully aware the continued existence of a windmill as a landmark feature, even if converted in to someone's home, is much more preferable to the total loss of the mill.

English Heritage, which has nine regional offices across the UK, are also available for assistance and help, and they have a register of historic properties which are 'Buildings At Risk' - classed as an historic building at risk through neglect and decay - as do the organisation Save Britain's Heritage. These lists feature a variety of old buildings, so could feature windmills (or even watermills).

There are also a handful of specialist websites which advertise windmills, which is a fast and hassle-free way to see if there's anything on the market which may suit you. Windmill World has a detailed list of windmills for sale - some fully converted and some not - across the country, and The Unique Property Organisation also promotes unusual dwellings including windmills.

Although it is a long shot, it can't hurt to check in with some of the larger estate agents, and also auction houses can also bring properties not usually available and in need of refurbishment to the buying public's attention. And finally, just keep your eyes peeled when you're driving or walking around the countryside, and always check the local newspapers, which often flag up any local landmarks being sold off. Then, if you locate something, it's time to investigate who owns it.