The Windmill

Baker Street Windmill

The Baker Street windmill is one of the last three examples of a 'smock mill' remaining in Essex. Smock mills were so called because they resembled a person wearing a white flared smock . Taking power from the wind, the four sails drove three pairs of millstones inside the body that ground the wheat into flour for the locak bakers. The cap of the mill, complete with the sails, was turned automatically to face the wind by the smaller set of eight vanes, which was known as the 'fantail'

Built in the 18th Century, this was a working windmill up until 1912. It then fell into disrepair until 1981 when it was restored and converted into a private residence . The restoration was completed in 1999 with the installation of the majestic sails. The photograph shows the local vicar blessing the windmill as the local community were invited to celebrate the first turning of the new sails on 25th September 1999