1596
Windmill recorded on Bidston Hill
Local history sources state that a windmill is believed to have stood on Bidston Hill from this date.
Site overview
Bidston Windmill stands on Bidston Hill near Birkenhead and is recorded by Historic England as a Grade II* listed building. Windmill use on the hill is traditionally traced to 1596. An earlier wooden peg mill was destroyed by fire in 1791 after the sails ran out of control in a gale.
The present tower mill was built around 1800 in brick and worked as a corn mill for about seventy-five years. It reportedly produced more than 100 pounds of flour every three to five minutes, although access by cart was difficult because of the hilltop location. After falling out of use, the windmill and its land were bought by Birkenhead Corporation, and restoration began in 1894.
The tower has since undergone several refurbishments, including roof replacement in 2006. It remains a prominent preserved mill with cap and sails.
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
Bidston Windmill is the surviving tower mill on Bidston Hill. Historic England records it as a Grade II* listed building, first listed on 29 July 1950, with the list entry amended on 10 August 1992. The wider hilltop site is associated with windmill use from at least the late sixteenth century, with local histories citing 1596 as the earliest known date.
The predecessor was a wooden peg mill. In 1791, during a gale, the sails ran out of control and friction in the wooden mechanism caused the mill to catch fire and be destroyed. The present tower mill was built around 1800 as a brick tower mill.
Its elevated position made it very effective in the wind, but difficult to reach by cart. During its working life it ground corn to flour and is reported to have produced more than 100 pounds of flour every three to five minutes. It continued in use until about 1875.
After disuse, Birkenhead Corporation bought the windmill and the land on which it stands, and restoration was undertaken from 1894. The tower was again restored in 1971 according to listed-building summaries. It suffered damage in 1927 and public subscription supported repairs.
Later conservation work included replacement of the roof in 2006. Bidston Windmill survives as a publicly recognised historic landmark on the hill, with a circular tapering tower, boarded cap and four sails.
Timeline
1791
Earlier peg mill destroyed by fire
The predecessor wooden peg mill burned after its sails ran out of control during a gale.
1800
Present tower mill built
A new brick tower mill was built on Bidston Hill to replace the destroyed peg mill.
1875
Corn milling ceased
The present Bidston tower mill continued grinding corn until about 1875.
1894
Birkenhead Corporation restoration began
After purchase by Birkenhead Corporation, the windmill was restored from 1894.
1950
Bidston Windmill listed Grade II*
Bidston Windmill was added to the National Heritage List for England at Grade II*.
2006
Roof replaced during refurbishment
The roof was replaced as part of conservation work to maintain the structure.
Sources and records
Historic England National Heritage List entry: Bidston Windmill
Bidston Hill Heritage Trail: Bidston Windmill
Windmills of Merseyside and Wirral
Wirral History page: Bidston Mill
Bidston Hill Heritage Trail: Bidston Windmill
Windmills of Merseyside and Wirral
Wirral History page: Bidston Mill