Cobstone Windmill, Smock mill in Turville Hill, Buckinghamshire, England
Cobstone Windmill is a smock mill on a hill near Turville in Buckinghamshire, England, distinguished by its slender wooden construction and well-preserved sails. The mill sits on a tall frame of vertical boards that supports a rotating cap with the sails, forming a sharp profile against the sky.
The mill was constructed in 1816 and ground grain until 1873, using machinery that had previously come from an older installation at Lacey Green. After years out of use, it suffered damage by fire before being restored in the 1960s with new sails and a fresh cap.
The name comes from the Cobb family, former landowners in this part of Buckinghamshire, while its current use as a private residence keeps the interior hidden from public view. Visitors can still admire the outer form of the structure, which has served as a backdrop in several films and television series.
Access to the mill is limited to exterior views, since the interior remains privately used, but several public footpaths pass close enough for good photographs. Those exploring the area find wide views across the Chilterns countryside and surrounding fields.
A fire caused by squatters damaged the central post, which required a thorough repair that gave the structure its current appearance. The upright wooden sails and the new fantail are replicas installed during the work in 1967.
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