Windmills: a celebration

Windmills are synonymous with rustic charm, country idylls and romantic, nostalgic notions of family and home.

Later this month, there is a celebration of these magnificent machines – as that what they are – on National Mills Weekend from Saturday, May 12 to Sunday, May 13.

Skidby Mill windmill . Curator Richard Young at the mill

placeholder image — Skidby Mill windmill . Curator Richard Young at the mill

This is run by the Mills Section of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.

There will be emphasis on the importance of mills to the natural world.

Owing to their setting, many mills are havens for wildlife – watermills by ponds, rivers and streams, windmills set apart to catch the gusts and gales to turn their sails.

We take a look at some of the most famous windmills.