Wilton Windmill stands on the hill above the adjacent valley. It was built in 1821 after the canal company had taken water from the River Bedwyn for their own use, thus taking away the power to drive several water mills in the vicinity. The mill worked until 1920 when it became a victim of steam and electrical power and stopped operating. Alter lying derelict for many years it was bought by Wiltshire County Council and leased to the Wiltshire Historic Buildings Trust, who together were responsible for the mills restoration. When the mill was built in 1821 it cost £500; to restore it a 150 years later the bill amounted to £25,000. Today it's the only working windmill in Wiltshire. Photo: David Packman |