Fancy Owning A Working Windmill? Now’s Your Chance

In the mid-19th century there were more than 10,000 working windmills dotted around Britain. Today, that number has dwindled down to 40. Some of these machines have been transformed into quirky homes, whimsical holiday lets and historic monuments. Most have been left abandoned. And some are still grinding away. 

Built in 1823, Bardwell Windmill in Suffolk is one of the few operational windmills left in the country. Alongside the Grade II* listed structure, the adjoining cottage is set to join it under the hammer on 25 March with a guide price of £350,000 to £400,000.

Up For Auction: Inside Bardwell Windmill

Up for sale for the first time in more than 40 years, Bardwell Windmill has been owned by the Wheeler family since 1987. Unfortunately for them, their whimsical new investment turned out to be even riskier than predicted: the very same year, the windmill’s sails were heavily damaged during a storm and it was left unusable.

But that didn’t let owner Jonathan Wheeler stop him. Together with the Friends of Bardwell Windmill group, alongside grants from English Heritage and Suffolk Council, Bardwell Windmill has been fully restored to its former glory.

Its white cap was replaced in 2000, and its sails and fantail — a rotating mini windmill-like device which ensures that the sails face the wind — were overhauled between 2010 and 2014. The milling machinery inside the mill, including its two sets of French burr stones (ideal for fine grinding), have also been repaired, with the north stones now able to operate by wind and the south stones with an electric motor. The windows and doors were also renewed, with the family careful to keep everything in line with the original style.

‘The task was enormous,’ Wheeler told the BBC in 2012. ‘But seeing the windmill working again was very emotional.’

Having completed the restoration of the windmill to working order, the family now feel that they have done what they set out to do. ‘It is now time to hand over the reins to an enthusiastic new owner who will enjoy living in the Millers Cottage at the heart of a thriving Suffolk village and keep the sails turning,’ say the sellers.

Following its thorough restoration, more than 200 years after it was built Bardwell Windmill is once again fully operational, capable of grinding with wind power when it can or via electric motor when the weather is still. Though it was originally designed to grind corn, since coming back into operation the mill has been used to grind flour for the family bakery formerly located on the site.

The black-painted windmill with its white cap and sails is located on the edge of Bardwell, a village near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk which features a post office, primary school and a couple of pubs. Alongside the windmill, the sale also includes Windmill Cottage, a 1,200 sqft Victorian home with views over the garden and mill, plus a series of outbuildings.

Unlike the restored windmill, the adjoining cottage is in desperate need of renovation. Arranged over two floors, the cottage has a sitting room, dining room and kitchen downstairs, with four bedrooms up above. Outside, there is a red brick workshop, with high ceilings and an electricity supply capable of supporting larger domestic machinery. Adjoining the cottage, there is an outbuilding and a store, with potential to be transformed into a home studio or workspace, or used for business, subject to planning permissions.

‘Bardwell windmill and its adjoining cottage are rare and captivating examples of Suffolk’s rural heritage, offering both historic authenticity and exciting future potential,’ says Hannah Turner at Auction House East Anglia.

‘The working windmill still produces flour today, as well as providing architectural presence,’ continues Turner. ‘Alongside it, the cottage presents a renovation opportunity, inviting a buyer to shape a home that complements the character of its remarkable setting. This is therefore a property that’s likely to appeal to heritage enthusiasts, those looking for a business opportunity, or buyers seeking a truly unique country project.’

Bardwell Windmill and Cottage are going up for auction on 25 March with a guide price of £350,000 – £400,000. Find out more at auctionhouse.co.uk