1729
Windmill construction recorded
A historic photograph note records the tower as built as a windmill in 1729.
Site overview
Uphill windmill is a truncated former tower corn mill on the hill above Uphill, Weston-super-Mare. A tower was shown on a map in 1782, and an insurance policy of 1789 mentioned a windmill. By 1829 it was already described as the walls of a windmill.
The standing tower is listed as an early nineteenth-century limestone rubble circular one-storey structure with a round-headed doorway, round-headed window, and crenellated parapet. It was used as a beacon in 1863 and was later adapted for observation. In 1934 the tower was rebuilt with a castellated top and an iron spiral stair for use as an observatory.
During the Second World War, Royal Observer Corps and Home Guard units used the hilltop structure. The tower survives and is open to the public, retaining its landmark character above the Bristol Channel.
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
Uphill windmill stands in an exposed position above Uphill, with views across Weston Bay, the Bristol Channel and the surrounding country. A tower was shown on a map in 1782, and an insurance policy of 1789 mentioned a windmill. Another source records the tower as built as a windmill in 1729, while the listed description places the surviving structure in the early nineteenth century.
By 1829 the site was no longer a working mill and was being referred to as the walls of a windmill. The tower is a circular limestone rubble structure, one storey high in its listed form, with a round-headed doorway on the north side and a round-headed window on the south side. In 1863 a beacon was built on iron rods laid across the top of the tower to commemorate the wedding of the future King Edward VII.
In 1934 the tower was rebuilt with a castellated top and an iron spiral stair for use as an observatory. During the Second World War, both the Royal Observer Corps and the Home Guard used the structure. The former windmill was first listed at Grade II on 15 November 1982.
It survives as a public hilltop landmark and observation structure rather than as a working or machinery-retaining mill.
Timeline
1782
Tower shown on map
A map of 1782 showed a tower at the site.
1789
Windmill mentioned in insurance policy
An insurance policy of 1789 mentioned a windmill at Uphill.
1829
Mill no longer working
By 1829 the structure was referred to as the walls of a windmill.
1863
Beacon built on tower
A beacon was built on iron rods across the top of the tower to commemorate the wedding of the future King Edward VII.
1934
Tower rebuilt as observatory
The tower was rebuilt with a castellated top and iron spiral stair for use as an observatory.
1939–1945
Wartime observation use
During the Second World War the structure was used by Royal Observer Corps and Home Guard units from Weston-super-Mare.
1982
Grade II listing
The remains of the windmill were first listed at Grade II.
Sources and records
Windmill World entry: Uphill, Weston-super-Mare windmill
Historic England list entry: Remains of Windmill, Uphill Way
Bristol Industrial Archaeology Society Journal Vol. 6: Windmills of Somerset
Topfoto historic photograph note for Uphill Windmill
Historic England list entry: Remains of Windmill, Uphill Way
Bristol Industrial Archaeology Society Journal Vol. 6: Windmills of Somerset
Topfoto historic photograph note for Uphill Windmill