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Somerset

   

Ashton Windmill

Chapel Allerton, Somerset

This 18th century flour mill stands on the "Isle of Wedmore", a ridge giving commanding views of Cheddar Gorge, the Somerset Levels and Brent Knoll. A windmill is mentioned on this site as far back as 1317. Although it last worked in 1927, the mill has been carefully restored.

The first mill on the site was medieval, but the present structure probably dates from the 18th century. It was modernised in 1900 with machinery brought from the demolished Moorlinch mill, and iron hoops around the building being added.

It was restored in 1967 and is now preserved, having been given to Bristol City Museum in 1966 and is owned by Sedgemoor District Council, and maintained by volunteers.

In 2008 the council applied for listed building planning consent to undertake major restoration work on the windmill, including replacement of the stone steps, installation of hand rails, guard rails and safety bars, alterations to the window shutters and replacement of the sail frames with wood laminate.


When we visited

This unusual small tower mill is able to be visited at any time, there is no entry cost involved in looking at the outside. There is plenty of room to photograph this mill and no evidence that this mill is turned, so I would assume it normally sits looking in the same direction.

This is probably one of the easiest mills to photograph being small, white with black sails and not cramped in by trees or other obstacles.

Parking is available very near and access does not require any climb.


Further information Grid

Location:

Ashton Windmill, Chapel Allerton, Somerset

Ceremonial County: Somerset

Grid Reference:

ST 414503  OS Sheet - 182.

Map Link:

OS  ST414504

Aerial photo:  

Route(s):

 

Best Times to Visit:

 

E-mail:

 

Website:

www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3537

Other useful websites:

mills open

wikipedia.org

WW 

LB

Wiki

Nearby Locations:  
Other Relevant pages:  

Classification:

Windmill

Date Updated: 05/2008

Planning Grid

Location:

Ashton Windmill, Chapel Allerton, Somerset

Grid Reference:

ST 414503.  OS Sheet - 182.

Getting there:

Mill is signposted off A38 between Lower Weare and Wedmore. 

Access:

No problems at any time

Parking:

Off road parking provided, also lay-by nearby

Facilities:

 

Things To Do, See and Photograph:

 

What to take:

 

Nature highlights:

 

Address:

 

Postcode:

 

Telephone:

Jessica Vale, Museums Officer
Sedgemoor District Council
01278 435399

Opening times:

Access to the outside is available at all times.

Easter to September, Sundays & Bank Holidays, 14.30 to 16.30, also Wednesdays in July & August, 14.30 - 16.30.

At other times by appointment.  

Charges:

Admission Free

Photo Restrictions:

none

Other Restrictions:  
Special Needs Access:  
Special Needs Facilities:  
Children Facilities:  
Dogs Allowed:  

CIN Page Ref:

ashton

Date Updated: 05/2008

Please let us know any other information that we can add to the Further information and Planning Grids or page and any errors that you discover. Before making a long trip to any location it is always wise to double check the current information, websites like magazines may be correct at the time the information is written, but things change and it is of course impossible to double check all entries on a regular basis. If you have any good photographs that you feel would improve the illustration of this page then please let us have copies. In referring to this page it is helpful if you quote the CIN Page Ref at the bottom of the Planning Grid above. To print the planning grid select it then right click and print the selected area.

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