Hawridge Windmill

Hawridge Windmill is a four-story brick tower mill in Cholesbury-cum-St Leonards with black rendering and a distinctive shape set against the Buckinghamshire countryside. The structure stands near Rays Hill Common and displays the typical architecture of a 19th-century tower windmill with its internal cap mechanisms still preserved inside.

The mill was built in 1883 by Hillsdon's of Tring and replaced an earlier smock mill that used both wind and steam power. This new construction reflected the changing technology of milling in the region.

The building became a residential space in 1913 when writer Gilbert Cannan hosted artists and writers including D.H. Lawrence and Mark Gertler within its walls. The rooms still echo the creative energy of that artistic era.

The windmill can be reached via an unmetalled track across Rays Hill Common, offering a quiet walk through open countryside. Visitors should be prepared for potentially muddy conditions on the path, especially after wet weather.

This structure represents one of the last tower mills constructed in England and features dummy sails that replaced the originals after a major gale in the 1950s. These non-functional sails are visually striking and remain a defining feature of the building.

Location: Cholesbury-cum-St Leonards

GPS coordinates: 51.75333,-0.64750

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:04