Ashton Windmill — Attraction in Chapel Allerton

I was camping in Somerset last year and am always on the lookout for windmills, waterfalls and the likes to visit.

To my delight this little gem was just up the road. When I arrived there were already a few visitors and the parking / layby was quite small so I waited a little while before I could park properly without blocking anybody in.

Inside the grounds there were 2 caretakers talking to visitors about the wind mill's history. I had a little wander around and sat in some shade for a moment before the other visitors left. I was able to take some photos then and was told I was allowed to fly my drone as long as kept within safety regulations.

Really glad I visited and would love to see it again either at sunset, sunrise or in...

The mill is a typical Somerset tower mill, built of coarse colour-washed rubble, with a revolving cap, tailfan and four sails. The tower is 25 ft high, with walls 2 ft thick and sails 43 ft across. The last millstones were 3 ft 11 in in diameter. The mill could grind 880 lb of corn in an hour and was also used for grinding beans for cattle feed. It is the only windmill in Somerset with a complete set of working machinery. The mill is opened two afternoons a week in summer by a group of local volunteers and is free to visit, although donations are welcome. Unfortunately it is closed due to storm damage at the moment, but hopefully they will...

Beautiful condition windmill build circa 1300s in Chapel Allerton, Somerset, near to Wedmore. There is a small field and picnic area.

According to Wikipedia, 'the tower is over 7.5 metres high with stone walls that are 60 cm thick. The sails are 13 m across and used to be covered with canvas. The last millstones were 1.2 m across and the millstones used to grind wheat for flour and beans for cattle food.'

You'll not spend hours here, but half hour or so relaxing and enjoy being close to this...