Pitstone Windmill

Heritage Site in Buckinghamshire

England

Pitstone Windmill

Pitstone Wharf Taken from a narrow boat leaving the marina and going northwards on the Grand Union Canal.
Pitstone Wharf Credit: Bob Walters

Pitstone Windmill, located in Buckinghamshire, England, is a well-preserved and historic heritage site. It is an iconic landmark that represents the rich agricultural history of the region. The windmill is situated on the outskirts of the village of Pitstone, near the Chiltern Hills.

Believed to have been built in the early 17th century, Pitstone Windmill is one of the oldest surviving windmills in the country. It was originally constructed to grind grain into flour, serving the local farming community for several centuries. The windmill's design follows the traditional post mill style, where the main body of the mill is mounted on a single vertical post that can be turned to face the wind.

The windmill's structure is made primarily of timber, with a white weatherboard cladding that adds to its visual appeal. It features four sails, each made of wooden slats covered in canvas, which can be adjusted to capture the optimal amount of wind. Inside the mill, visitors can explore the machinery, including the massive millstones used to grind the grain.

Today, Pitstone Windmill is maintained and operated by the National Trust, ensuring its preservation for future generations. The windmill offers a glimpse into the past, allowing visitors to learn about the history of milling and the significance of wind power in the region. Surrounding the windmill, there are picturesque walking trails that provide stunning views of the Chiltern Hills and the surrounding countryside. Pitstone Windmill stands as a testament to the agricultural heritage of Buckinghamshire and remains an important cultural and historical attraction in the area.

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Pitstone Windmill Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.832/-0.63 or Grid Reference SP9415. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Pitstone Wharf Taken from a narrow boat leaving the marina and going northwards on the Grand Union Canal.
Pitstone Wharf
Taken from a narrow boat leaving the marina and going northwards on the Grand Union Canal.
Seabrook Middle Lock and Pumping Station Two narrow boats about to enter the lock, Grand Union Canal No.35.  The pumping station, which is a listed building, was used to keep the canal water level correct.
Seabrook Middle Lock and Pumping Station
Two narrow boats about to enter the lock, Grand Union Canal No.35. The pumping station, which is a listed building, was used to keep the canal water level correct.
Canal bridge 126 at Cooks Wharf, Pitstone
Canal bridge 126 at Cooks Wharf, Pitstone
Dunstable & District Boat Club
Dunstable & District Boat Club
Canal swing bridge This manually operated swing bridge (numbered 125) is one of the very few left on the Grand Union Canal that is still working and left in position across the canal.

It was originally installed to give a farmer access to his fields.  However, its sole purpose now seems to be maintaining the public footpath route between Pitstone and Seabrook across the canal.
Canal swing bridge
This manually operated swing bridge (numbered 125) is one of the very few left on the Grand Union Canal that is still working and left in position across the canal. It was originally installed to give a farmer access to his fields. However, its sole purpose now seems to be maintaining the public footpath route between Pitstone and Seabrook across the canal.
Model plane pilots gather on Ivinghoe Beacon in low cloud Great to see these flyers up here today. It is too long since I have seen and enjoyed planes like this flying. Several lie here on the ground either after or prior to flying, and in the distance I detect some in flight. 

What a great hobby, passion or interest to have.
Model plane pilots gather on Ivinghoe Beacon in low cloud
Great to see these flyers up here today. It is too long since I have seen and enjoyed planes like this flying. Several lie here on the ground either after or prior to flying, and in the distance I detect some in flight. What a great hobby, passion or interest to have.
Info board on the Ridgeway National Trail atop Ivinghoe Beacon One day I will walk this whole trail. From Avebury to here or vice versa, I can't decide yet. It is 87 miles (139 km). Should take a week? Bet it will be cracking.
Info board on the Ridgeway National Trail atop Ivinghoe Beacon
One day I will walk this whole trail. From Avebury to here or vice versa, I can't decide yet. It is 87 miles (139 km). Should take a week? Bet it will be cracking.
The trig point on Ivinghoe Beacon I hope the mist lifts.
The trig point on Ivinghoe Beacon
I hope the mist lifts.
View off Ivinghoe Beacon in low cloud The land below is visible nearby but vanishes into the mist at a range of a few  hundred yards. 

A model plane silently scoots overhead, top left. One of two currently in flight, performing stall turns and loops overhead, closely watched by their respective radio-control pilots and a small crowd of spectators.

There were a few near-misses and narrowly averted mid-air collisions, which drew gasps, murmurs and laughter from both the pilots and the onlookers. But the skill and experience of the flyers averted an actual collision. 

It looks like the model planes are built to withstand a few such incidents, with replaceable parts, components and structures.
View off Ivinghoe Beacon in low cloud
The land below is visible nearby but vanishes into the mist at a range of a few hundred yards. A model plane silently scoots overhead, top left. One of two currently in flight, performing stall turns and loops overhead, closely watched by their respective radio-control pilots and a small crowd of spectators. There were a few near-misses and narrowly averted mid-air collisions, which drew gasps, murmurs and laughter from both the pilots and the onlookers. But the skill and experience of the flyers averted an actual collision. It looks like the model planes are built to withstand a few such incidents, with replaceable parts, components and structures.
Fir tree on Ivinghoe Beacon hillside A prominent evergreen tree that looks as if it may well have been planted here, rather than seeded. Who knows? It prospers, even on such a steep and unstable slope. Typical pine or fir.
Fir tree on Ivinghoe Beacon hillside
A prominent evergreen tree that looks as if it may well have been planted here, rather than seeded. Who knows? It prospers, even on such a steep and unstable slope. Typical pine or fir.
Field edge footpath line towards Crabtree Cottage Was the cottage named after its human residents or the nature of its garden trees I wonder? The latter I would think.

The sunshine has now dispersed all mist and cloud - a phenomenon that literally took seconds as we descended Ivinghoe Beacon and the skies, even on the summit behind us, are bright blue.
Field edge footpath line towards Crabtree Cottage
Was the cottage named after its human residents or the nature of its garden trees I wonder? The latter I would think. The sunshine has now dispersed all mist and cloud - a phenomenon that literally took seconds as we descended Ivinghoe Beacon and the skies, even on the summit behind us, are bright blue.
Footpath towards Crabtree Cottage below Ivinghoe Beacon Looking out over lowlands below in burgeoning sunshine.
Footpath towards Crabtree Cottage below Ivinghoe Beacon
Looking out over lowlands below in burgeoning sunshine.
An Avanti West Coast train going south An Avanti West Coast 'Pendolino' express heads south towards London.
An Avanti West Coast train going south
An Avanti West Coast 'Pendolino' express heads south towards London.
A train of new cars heads towards the Channel Tunnel Class 66 No. 66012 hauls a long car carrier train from the Midlands to Dollond's Moor freight yard in Kent for shipment via the Channel Tunnel to the Continent.
A train of new cars heads towards the Channel Tunnel
Class 66 No. 66012 hauls a long car carrier train from the Midlands to Dollond's Moor freight yard in Kent for shipment via the Channel Tunnel to the Continent.
Seabrook Bottom Lock Seabrook Bottom Lock on the Grand Union Canal
Seabrook Bottom Lock
Seabrook Bottom Lock on the Grand Union Canal
Cheddington bridge 126 (Grand Union Canal)  Bridge 126 carries a road over the canal towards Pitstone and Marsworth
Cheddington bridge 126 (Grand Union Canal)
Bridge 126 carries a road over the canal towards Pitstone and Marsworth
Pitstone Windmill on a summer evening A 17thC post mill, one of the oldest in the country. Restored and in the care of the National Trust.
Pitstone Windmill on a summer evening
A 17thC post mill, one of the oldest in the country. Restored and in the care of the National Trust.
Upper Icknield Way, Pitstone
Upper Icknield Way, Pitstone
Show me another place!

Pitstone Windmill is located at Grid Ref: SP9415 (Lat: 51.832, Lng: -0.63)

Unitary Authority: Buckinghamshire

Police Authority: Thames Valley

What 3 Words

///packing.prawn.branched. Near Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.832,-0.63
Pitstone Windmill
Historic: windmill
Man Made: windmill
Name It: Mulino a vento di Pitstone
Name Sr: Питстонска ветрењача
Name Zh: 皮特斯通风车
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/pitstone-windmill
Wikidata: Q7199059
Wikipedia: en:Pitstone Windmill
Windmill Vanes: yes
Lat/Long: 51.8317599/-0.6298901
Ivinghoe
Is In: Buckinghamshire
Place: village
Lat/Long: 51.8364034/-0.6298887
Restaurant
The King's Head
Lat/Long: 51.8363131/-0.6297776
Traffic Calming: cushion
Lat/Long: 51.8352378/-0.6346375
Library
Ivinghoe Library
Lat/Long: 51.8357169/-0.6302269
Leisure: playground
Lat/Long: 51.8358675/-0.6304688
Parking
Lat/Long: 51.8327482/-0.626854
Post Office
Ivinghoe Post Office
Addr City: Leighton Buzzard
Addr Country: GB
Addr Postcode: LU7 9EP
Brand: Post Office
Brand Wikidata: Q1783168
Contact Website: https://www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder/1081349/ivinghoe
Ref Pol Id: 1523
Lat/Long: 51.8356862/-0.6303107
Post Box
Brand: Royal Mail
Brand Wikidata: Q638098
Collection Times: Mo-Fr 16:45; Sa 10:30
Operator: Royal Mail
Operator Wikidata: Q638098
Ref: LU7 48
Source: survey
Lat/Long: 51.8355768/-0.6306702
Direction: 75
Fixme: survey for panel count
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Solar Modules: 14
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 51.8346886/-0.63151
Direction: 165
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Solar Modules: 12
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 51.8346521/-0.63162
Direction: 150
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Solar Modules: 16
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 51.8348941/-0.6352571
Direction: 185
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Solar Modules: 14
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 51.8354653/-0.6297664
Historic: memorial
Memorial: war_memorial
Lat/Long: 51.8361388/-0.6294487
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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