As described in my post here I have built a model windmill in the past and do have an interest in them. I have visited windmills around the Country as the opportunity arises but it has been some time since I last was inside one. As the WMD road trip on Bank Holiday Monday ended up in flatest Lincolnshire, Mrs. Woody and myself found ourselves at a place called Heckington where an 8 sail restored windmill dominates the skyline. It was open to visitors too so we stopped and had a look around.
Originally built in 1830 as a five sail windmill it suffered devastating damage in a thunderstorm in 1890. It was rebuilt as an eight sailed windmill in 1892 using parts from a windmill in nearby Boston. It was still commercially working until 1946 after which it fell into disrepair. In 1953 the then Kesteven County Council bought it and following a history of restoration it is now operated by the Heckington Windmill Trust. They have a very informative web site here .
I always find such places fascinating from the wonderment as to how the builders actually managed to build them using the technology then available all the way through to how they operate. From a modelling view you can learn a lot just by looking at how things are constructed and how they weather and age and how repairs show themselves as they undergo a different aging process. I did get to the top and the view was fantastic but as the ladders going up were almost vertical I didn't blame Mrs. W for just going up as far as the first floor! We did however get a sticky badge to say we had climbed the windmill. Well worth a visit if you are in the area and there is a tea shop and brewery on site!
