LOCAL AND ESSEX HISTORY: Saturday 4 July 2026;
Visit to Upminster Windmill
Our Visit began with an illustrated talk about the history of Upminster, the local important people and their role in the erection of the Windmill. The talk was given by very knowledgeable volunteers who are members of the Friends of Upminster Windmill who manage the windmill on behalf of the Borough of Havering. After this we were shown around the windmill and taken up to the very top inside the Cap going up 54 steps in total by 4 very narrow, steep staircases.
The windmill was built in 1803, during the Napoleonic war, to provide flour that could no longer be imported from France. It is one of the finest remaining “smock” mills in the country. It is built of wood rather than brick and characterized by a sloping, multi sided (six or eight sided) tower. It gets its name from the physical resemblance to the flared, belted smocks, worn by farmers and labourers in the !7th and 18th centuries.
As we progressed up the tower, we were given a very interesting account of how all the machinery worked. The Windmill had been restored between 2016 and 2023 and it was fascinating to see how they had scarfed in new wood to replace rotten wood with an emphasis on retaining as much of the original mill as possible. A visitor’s centre and interactive garden were also built.
There were a number of different mice (not real ones!) to be seen on each floor but no prizes for spotting them all! We also had a great view across to the city of London and to Shooters Hill which was involved in a local vicar’s successful trials to accurately determine the speed of sound! Dr William Derham (Rector of Upminster from 1689 until he died in 1735) was a philosopher, scientist and physician.
It was a very interesting visit, learning all about the process of milling together with other local history. We rounded the visit off by enjoying lunch at the nearby Windmill Pub.
The Windmill has a number of Open days between April and October each year. Information about these can be found on their website www.upminsterwindmill.org
Marion Coleman
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