Crux Easton wind engine

The Crux Easton wind engine is a wind-powered installation mounted on a hexagonal steel tower in northern Hampshire. The mechanism included a large wind wheel that drove both a circular saw for cutting wood and millstones for grinding grain into flour.

The installation was built in 1891 as a commissioned project and operated until the 1920s before becoming obsolete. Its design reflected the engineering advances of that industrial period, combining traditional wind power methods with newer mechanical systems.

The structure holds meaning for those interested in industrial heritage and represents a bold experiment in rural engineering from a bygone era. Today it serves as a tangible reminder of how communities once harnessed natural forces to power their daily work.

The structure is located on private land in a rural setting and can be viewed from outside. Access is most practical during dry weather months, and visiting by car is recommended due to its remote village location.

The installation drew water from an exceptionally deep underground source, a technical feat that required sophisticated drilling methods of the era. This deep well supply demonstrates the engineering challenges builders tackled to make the system work in this rural location.

Location: Ashmansworth

GPS coordinates: 51.30441,-1.38914

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:42