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Stembridge Tower Mill - Windmill

High Ham, Somerset

The Last remaining Thatched Windmill in England

  • Dates from 1822 and in use until 1910.
  • A lovely elevated situation with views over the Somerset levels.

Stembridge Tower Mill in High Ham, Somerset, is the last remaining thatched windmill in England. It is the last survivor of five windmills that once existed in the area.

A Tower Mill is a type of windmill which consists of a brick or stone tower, on top of which sits a roof or cap which can be turned to bring the sails into the wind. The advantage of the tower mill over the earlier post mill is that it is not necessary to turn the whole mill ("body", "buck") with all its machinery into the wind, this allows more space for the machinery as well as for storage.

In the earliest tower mills the cap was turned into the wind with a long tail-pole which stretched down to the ground at the back of the mill. Later an endless chain was used which drove the cap through gearing as is used at Stembridge.

Constructed in 1822, including parts from the earlier Ham Mill which stood nearby, it was damaged by storms and left running via steam by 1897/8 and last used commercially in 1910. In 1969 Professor H. H. Bellot left the windmill, cottage and garden to the National Trust in his will. The mill has four floors, a thatched cap and is constructed of local limestone known in the area as Blue Lias.

The remains of the old bakehouse can still be seen to the rear of the mill.

Based on information from Wikipedia.


The mill can also be rented as a holiday home.


When we visited

I was aware it was owned by the National Trust but unaware we could go around the outside of the mill when it is not open. However I don't think I would have got any better photos from inside the National Trust grounds. I was able to get the top left photo from the road and the top right from a field next to the mill. There is a limit to the angle that you can take from, the hedge was immediately on my left, the other option would be a high vehicle or steps to get a view over the field hedge.


Further information Grid

Location:

Stembridge Tower Mill (Windmill) High Ham, Somerset

Ceremonial County: Somerset

Grid Reference:

ST432305  OS Sheet - 182.

Map Link:

OS ST433305

Aerial photo:  

Route(s):

 

Best Times to Visit:

 

E-mail:

stembridgemill@nationaltrust.org.uk

Website:

National Trust - Stembridge Tower Mill

Other useful websites:

mills open

wikipedia

Nearby Locations:  
Other Relevant pages:  

Classification:

Windmill

Date Updated: 05/2008

Planning Grid

Location:

Stembridge Tower Mill (Windmill) High Ham, Somerset

Grid Reference:

ST432305

Getting there:

Turn north off B3153, 2 miles from Langport, follow signs for High Ham. Turn right opposite cemetery in village. Mill is ½ mile east of village.

2ml N of Langport, ½ml E of High Ham; take the Somerton road from Langport and follow High Ham signs. Take road opposite cemetery in High Ham. Mill is on right.

Access:

Can be viewed from outside

Parking:

 

Facilities:

 

Things To Do, See and Photograph:

 

What to take:

 

Nature highlights:

 

Address:

Stembridge Tower Mill

High Ham

Somerset

Postcode:

TA10 9DJ

Telephone:

National Trust - Montacute House  01935 823289

Opening times:

April, May and August Bank Holiday Mondays, 14.00-17.00. NT site says 11am -5pm  plus outside viewing many other days see chart

Charges:

National Trust: Inside viewing on certain BHs: £2.80, child £1.60

Photo Restrictions:

 

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

CIN Page Ref:

stembridge

Date Updated: 05/2008

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