Lacey Green Windmill

Fully restored by The Chiltern Society in 1983, Lacey Green Windmill was thought to have stood in Chesham for nearly 200 years, after some research, it seems that this story first appeared in a book in 1932! We have been unable to find any proof of the story, but we do know that it has been in Lacey Green since 1821.

The body, or smock, of the mill was extensively rebuilt in the early 1800s. The mill was used to grind wheat for flour and also oats and barley for animal food until around 1915.

In the early part of the 20th Century, small wind and water mills in the country ceased to operate, as a large amount of wheat was then being imported from across the Atlantic and was processed at large flour mills at the ports. Any grinding of crops for animal food would increasingly be done on the farm by a small mill powered by steam engine, stationary engine or tractor which were obviously not dependent on the weather as a source of power.

By the late 1960s the windmill at Lacey Green was in a very poor state and was in danger of collapsing. It was realised that the original working machinery inside the mill was therefore severely threatened. A full restoration back to working order was started in 1971 by an enthusiastic and dedicated group of members of The Chiltern Society. After twelve years of hard work, taking until 1983, the mill is now in full working order.

Weather permitting, sail cloths are fitted and can usually be seen in operation on the afternoon of National Mills Day, which is always the second Sunday in May each year.

Location
Lacey Green, Buckinghamshire, 2 miles South of Princes Risborough off the A4010 road between Aylesbury and High Wycombe. Park in Pink Road and take the path on the right hand side of The Whip pub.

Opening times
2.30pm to 5.30pm on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from the beginning of May until the end of September.

Entry
Adult £1.50. Child (under 16) 75p.

To find out more about the windmill visit the official website here.