1760
Windmill recorded
A windmill was recorded on the Worlebury Hill site in 1760.
Site overview
Worle windmill stood on the exposed east end of Worlebury Hill. A windmill was recorded on the site in 1760, and in 1870 it was advertised for sale or rent with an associated bakery business. At that date the mill was described as complete and in repair, with one pair of stones and dressing and smut machines.
It was run by William Rogers, who had operated a milling and baking business there for 30 years. The mill was not recorded in use after 1870 and was converted into an observatory shortly afterwards, with a parapet added. A photograph from 1867 showed the mill at work with four broad common sails.
The tower is now the Worle Tower Observatory, a Grade II listed former windmill converted around 1876. It remains a landmark observation structure with views over 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
Worle windmill occupied an exposed position at the east end of Worlebury Hill. A windmill was recorded on the site in 1760. By 1870 it formed part of a milling and baking business and was advertised for sale or rent.
The mill then contained one pair of stones, two dressing and smut machines, and was described as being in complete repair. The vendor was William Rogers, who had run the milling and baking business there for 30 years. No later working use is recorded in the consulted sources.
The mill was converted into an observatory shortly afterwards, and a parapet was added. A photograph made in 1867 showed Worle Mill at work with four broad common sails. The tower was parallel-sided, with a short flight of steps leading to one of two opposite doorways at first-floor level.
The cap was of the Somerset gable form, with chain winding gear housed in a tail-box. Later alterations rendered and painted the tower and changed the floor levels. The listed building description identifies the surviving structure as Worle Tower Observatory, probably late eighteenth century, formerly a windmill and converted around 1876 to an observatory.
It is a circular three-stage rendered tower with a corbelled battlement parapet. The structure was first listed at Grade II on 19 May 1983.
Timeline
1840–1870
William Rogers operated business
William Rogers had run a milling and baking business at the site for 30 years by 1870.
1867
Mill photographed at work
A photograph made in 1867 showed Worle Mill working with four broad common sails.
1870
Mill advertised for sale or rent
The windmill was advertised for sale or rent with a bakery business and was described as complete and in repair.
1870–1876
Milling use ended
The mill was not recorded in use after the 1870 sale or rent advertisement.
1876
Converted to observatory
The former windmill was converted around 1876 to an observatory with a parapet.
1983
Grade II listing
Worle Tower Observatory was first listed at Grade II.
Sources and records
Windmill World entry: Worle windmill
Historic England list entry: Worle Tower Observatory
Bristol Industrial Archaeology Society Journal Vol. 6: Windmills of Somerset
Muggeridge Collection reference for Old Windmill, Worle
Historic England list entry: Worle Tower Observatory
Bristol Industrial Archaeology Society Journal Vol. 6: Windmills of Somerset
Muggeridge Collection reference for Old Windmill, Worle