Chesterton Windmill
Update 2 - March 2025: Earlier this month security fencing was installed around Chesterton Windmill in preparation for works to begin. On Thursday 13 March, the project team officially began work on site.
The first major job, once all the sails components had arrived, was to hoist the two large - and very heavy - wooden stocks into position on the windmill. The stocks form the central X shape of the sails. They are both nearly 12 metres long, and weigh around a quarter of a tonne each.
As developments continue to take place on site over the next few weeks, we kindly ask all those interested in watching the progress of the project to do so from a safe distance on the grass paths and to avoid entering the surrounding fields.
Update - March 2025: Cllr Christopher Kettle, Warwickshire County Councillor for Feldon, and Ayub Khan, Warwickshire County Council's Head of Libraries, Heritage & Culture, and Registration Service, were invited to see the progress to Chesterton Windmill's stocks and sails in December 2024.
The sails are being built by Owlsworth Conservation, the principal contractor for the sails restoration project, at their site near Reading.
Cllr Chris Kettle said: “The visit to Owslworth's site in December was a great opportunity to discuss with the team and observe first-hand the specialist skills required to create the stocks and sails for Chesterton Windmill. I could see that the restoration of the sails was in safe and knowledgeable hands, and it will be a great moment to witness the sails back on the windmill in 2025 so that it can stand proudly once again along Warwickshire's skyline. This current restoration builds on the previous major restoration of the Windmill in 1971, again by Warwickshire County Council, when my late father was the Councillor for what is now the Feldon Division”.
Ayub Khan added: “Chesterton Windmill is an iconic monument both in Warwickshire’s landscape and as part of our country’s history, and it has been an exciting day speaking with the project team to understand how the frames of the sails are coming together. It won’t be long until the sails are back on the windmill and it’s going to be a very exciting day to watch their installation”.
At the December site visit, all of the whips, which attach to the stocks, had been morticed out ready to accept the sail bars, and all of the sails bars had been fitted into their sails frames. The team had also progressed how much of the sail frames had received the relevant Kreidezeit white paint coatings.
In January 2025, Owlsworth Conservation successfully completed all of the different components for Chesterton Windmill’s sails, including the four sail frames, the stocks, the metalwork, and lightening protection tape. These components have now been safely moved into storage and are ready for installation.
You may remember a few months ago that we submitted a planning application to Stratford-on-Avon District Council for the replacement of the sails. We are pleased to share that in February this application was approved!
This means that the project team have been able to focus on arranging the logistics for the transportation of the sails, and onsite installation of the sails, at Chesterton.
From Tuesday 4 March, security fencing is being installed around Chesterton Windmill. This is in preparation for works to begin.
We kindly ask all those interested in watching the progress of the project to do so from a safe distance on the grass paths and to avoid entering the surrounding fields.
Update - October 2024:
Over the summer, and safely outside of the bat hibernation period, surveys were carried out at Chesterton Windmill to determine the scale of its bat roost and identify any potential impacts this may have on the planned restoration work. This is because it is illegal to obstruct or remove bat roosts, even if bats are not using them at the time.
The surveys identified a small but long-established roost, mainly consisting of brown long eared bats. Bat droppings also helped to identify long-term use of the roost, rather than there being a high number of bats.
The surveys also confirmed the main entry point for bats to access the roost, which is at the point where the sails would normally attach to the windmill. The contractor will factor this into the installation of the sails to ensure we maintain appropriate year-round access for bats to continue using the windmill as a roosting space.
More recently Owlsworth Conservation, our principal contractor, has received all of the materials required in order to start building the windmill’s new stocks and sails.
The stocks are being built first, which are the large wooden beams to which the windmill's sails will be attached. The following photos have kindly been provided by Owlsworth Conservation:
This build is currently on schedule, and the build of the four news sails, which will attach to the stocks, will then follow. To prepare for installation of the sails, the project team have submitted a planning application to Stratford-on-Avon District Council for the replacement of the sails and, subject to planning approval, their installation is expected to take place early next year.
Warwickshire County Council’s (WCC) project team is delighted to share that the Scheduled Monument Consent (SMC) application, sent to Historic England for their consideration on behalf of the Secretary of State, has been approved. This means WCC now has the relevant permissions in place to progress the replacement of the sails restoration work, all whilst ensuring the planned work is appropriate and sympathetic to the windmill’s character.
The approval of SMC also means the project team have been able to progress the procurement process and receive tenders from multiple contractors. Following consultation within the project team, Owlsworth Conservation has been confirmed as the Principal Contractor for the manufacture and installation of the new Chesterton Windmill sails. Work will now begin on sourcing the materials required to prepare building the new sails.
Update - Decemember 2023:
In December 2023 the Warwickshire County Council (WCC) project team, supported by a licensed ecologist, determined that Chesterton Windmill likely houses a large bat roost. However, the specific species and the number of bats cannot be determined at this time of year due to the winter hibernation period.
In the UK all species of bats, including their breeding sites and resting places, are fully protected by law. This means that no building or repair works can be carried out on a site until the bats leave of their own accord. For more information about this topic, please visit the Historic England website.
This is not the first time WCC has encountered bats on a restoration project, and the team have worked diligently to develop a revised project programme. This factors in the additional requirements for the ecologist to carry out further surveys and tests to clarify the size and type of bat roost. This will inform how the building can be accessed in the future and when is an appropriate time for the works to take place onsite later this year. In February we submitted our Scheduled Monument Consent (SMC) application to Historic England for their consideration on behalf of the Secretary of State, which is a significant milestone for the project. Finally, the team are about to start the procurement process, which includes confirming the suppliers who will start preparing the timber so that it’s ready for the construction of the four sails later this year. We are passionate about restoring the sails of Chesterton Windmill as soon as we can, to be enjoyed by the people of Warwickshire and beyond, and will continue to share the latest information with you as the project progresses.
Sign up for email updatesChesterton Windmill is one of Warwickshire’s most famous landmarks. It has stood on a hilltop overlooking the village of Chesterton for nearly 350 years. It was built around 1632 – 1633, probably by Sir Edward Peyton, who was Lord of the Chesterton Manor House. At this time John Stone, a pupil of Inigo Jones, was in Chesterton designing the new Manor House and he probably helped with designing the windmill as well.
The estate accounts at the Warwickshire County Record Office show that that the structure has always been a windmill, making it the earliest tower mill in England to retain any of its working parts.
The windmill was restored between 1965 and 1974 by Warwickshire County Council who are now the guardians of the Windmill.
Opening times
The windmill is open to the public during Heritage Open Weekends in Spring and Autumn. Find out more about opening dates and times.
Free entry
General admission to the Windmill on Heritage Open Weekends is free.
Parking
There is on road parking nearby. During Heritage Open Weekends a parking area may be provided with a small charge.
Facilities and access
The Windmill is located on top of a hill just off the Fosse Way. Please note that there is no level access up to the windmill. To view the internal workings of the Windmill visitors must ascend a number of steep stone steps.
No public toilets are available at the site.
