Site overview
Moulton Windmill is a restored nine-storey brick tower mill on High Street in Moulton, between Spalding and Holbeach. The Grade I listed mill stands 100 feet to the top of its ogee cap and is recognised as Britain's tallest complete windmill. Built in about 1822 by Robert King, it was originally a wind-powered corn mill and later continued milling after steam and engine power replaced damaged sails.
A volunteer-led restoration returned the mill to working order, with a new cap, reefing gallery, sails, tea room, and visitor facilities. In 2013 it ground flour by wind power for the first time in more than a century.
Map
History
Moulton Windmill was built in about 1822 by Robert King, together with the adjoining granary. The mill was designed as a large tower corn mill for grinding wheat and other products. It rises through nine storeys, standing about 80 feet to the curb and about 100 feet to the top of the ogee cap. Its original arrangement included four double-sided patent sails, carried on stocks in a poll end, and a local Lincolnshire-style fanstage.
The mill remained in the King family for more than a century. A. W. Tindall leased it from the King family between 1890 and 1921. On 20 December 1894 the sails were badly damaged in a gale and were removed in 1895. Steam power was then installed in the adjoining granary, including a two-sack Turner roller milling plant, and steam power was also applied to the original stones. Later auxiliary working continued the milling function long after wind power had ceased.
The Biggadike family took over the tenancy in 1924 and continued milling, latterly in smaller quantities and mainly for animal feed, until 1995. From the mid 1970s the mill was used chiefly as a store in connection with the grain merchant's business. After the retirement of the last miller and the sale of the mill and surrounding buildings, local residents formed the Friends of Moulton Mill in 1998. Moulton Windmill Project Ltd was also formed as a charity to support restoration.
The restoration campaign returned the Grade I listed mill to public and working use. The mill featured in the BBC Restoration programme in 2003 and secured major grant support alongside local fundraising. The granary tea room opened to the public in 2005. The mill ground flour again in 2007 using restored machinery, the reefing gallery was fitted in 2008, and new sails were installed on 21 November 2011, completing the external restoration. On 28 April 2013 the mill produced its first bag of flour by wind power for more than 100 years. Moulton Windmill is now operated by volunteers as a working heritage mill, with its restored cap, sails, machinery, granary tea room, and visitor role preserving one of Lincolnshire's most important windmill survivals.
Timeline
A. W. Tindall tenancy
Sails damaged by gale
Steam power installed
Biggadike tenancy began
Grade I listed building designation
Milling by the last tenant ended
Friends of Moulton Mill formed
Restoration campaign featured on television
Opened to the public
Flour grinding resumed
Reefing gallery fitted
New sails fitted
Wind-powered flour grinding resumed
Sources and records
Moulton Mill History
Moulton Windmill restoration story
Historic England research record
Windmill World site entry
BBC News reports
Lincolnshire Life article