Tainter's Hill Mill

Site overview

Tainter's Hill Mill in Kenilworth began as a brick tower corn mill. Built in 1778, it had four common sails, a boat cap and two pairs of stones. Steam power was introduced in 1854, and in 1884 the tower was heightened and converted into a water tower.

It later became a house in 1974–1975. The former mill survives as a distinctive white-painted tower with later residential additions.

Map

Map markers and directions links are provided for location reference only and do not indicate public access or permission to enter a site.

No site photograph is currently available. Images will be added as field visits are carried out.

History

Tainter's Hill Mill was built at Kenilworth in 1778 as a brick tower corn mill. The working mill had four common sails, a boat cap and two pairs of stones. Steam power was added in 1854, extending its working life beyond wind power alone.

In 1884 the mill machinery was removed, the tower was heightened, and the structure was adapted as a water tower. The converted tower carried a large water tank and became part of Kenilworth's water-supply infrastructure. In the twentieth century the water-tower function ended, and the building was converted to residential use in 1974–1975.

The surviving tower is white painted, five storeys high in its altered form, with a raised conical roof and later domestic additions.

Timeline

1778

Tower mill built

A brick tower windmill was built at Tainter's Hill in Kenilworth.

1854

Steam power introduced

Steam power was introduced while the mill was still in working use.

1884

Converted to water tower

The former windmill was heightened and converted into a water tower.

1974–1975

Converted to house

The former water tower was converted for residential use.

Sources and records

Warwickshire Historic Environment Record
Historic England National Heritage List entry
Windmill World site entry
Kenilworth History and Archaeology Society article