Brixton Windmill
a working windmill in zone two
A genuine 200-year-old windmill improbably surviving in a south London park, with free grounds and open days.
Free to visit · Brixton · Brixton · SW2 5EU
Opening: Grounds daily · interior on open days
It catches everyone by surprise, a real eighteenth-century windmill, sails and all, standing in a small park in the middle of Brixton. Built in 1816 when this was open countryside, Ashby's Mill ground flour for generations before the growing city surrounded and eventually stilled it.
Lovingly restored, it has even ground flour again in recent years, and the surrounding Windmill Gardens are a free and friendly local park. On advertised open days you can climb inside to see the restored machinery, but any day you can wander the grounds and marvel that this rural survivor is still here at all.
Getting there: In Windmill Gardens off Blenheim Gardens, a short walk from Brixton station.
Best time to go: A dry day for the park, or an advertised open day to see inside.
Insider tip: Check the windmill's website for open days if you want to go inside and see the workings, otherwise the grounds are free any time. They occasionally sell flour milled on site, a lovely only-in-Brixton souvenir.
Official site: https://brixtonwindmill.org
Free things to do in London · London Free Guide