Wrawby Windmill ~ A Guide to the Rare 1760 Postmill
Wrawby Mill ~ At Wrawby near Brigg in Lincolnshire stands the only postmill left in Lincolnshire
I went there today and it’s quite fabulous.
Recent excitement, or what passes for it in the life of a half-witted would-be amateur historian, on the Aylesby Windmill front brought about a sudden and unexpected interest in windmills.
To that effect I was blessed today with the first decent daylight in what seems like ages so I planned a trip taking in several Lincolnshire Churches and culminating in Wrawby near Brigg.
Lending itself to photography I took a few pictures so unusually you’ve got three images to illustrate this post - you lucky devils
The Windmill at Wrawby
The History
It was originally built circa 1760 and sits high up in a commanding position in the Lincolnshire Wolds. The site is old indeed and this mill sits on where an even earlier windmill stood.
Despite the age is was still in working order up until 1940 when a sail got damaged and it fell into disuse.
Thankfully in the early 1960s a Preservation Society was formed and the mill was restored, not only structurally but also mechanically - back into a working postmill.
A fantastic job they’ve done as well, not only in the restoration but also upkeep - it was truly impressive and those responsible are deserving of a great of credit - I would urge you to visit especially on an open day.
Not often you see Lincolnshire’s Heritage preserved sadly
The Postmill from Another Angle
Today
How to get there: It’s easy enough to find, Wrawby is near Brigg in Lincolnshire and is easily reached via the A15 if coming from Lincoln way. The A1084 or A18 if coming from Grimsby or Louth direction. For those up north, Humber Bridge and A180. Once there you can’t miss it and there’s a public footpath up to and around it.
I think, but you must check yourself, that on Bank Holidays and the like the whole mill is opened up to the public and not only can you see it working but you can also buy freshly milled flour. I cannot guarantee this so please check before setting out for the day.
Set Against the Big Skies of Lincolnshire
Wrawby is in the Domesday book of 1086 and was known then / listed as Waragebi , names mentioned Ralph from Geoffrey Alselin, the church is also mentioned but not of course the mill because as regular readers will be aware, hat tip to Neville, windmills did not exist then !
My earthworks antennae began to twitch more than a little in the surrounding area and subsequently I discovered that the area has a Roman connection with some nice finds and English Heritage say there’s a possible Roman Settlement there.
As always we’re very keen to hear from anybody who knows anything at all about the mill, association, history or interesting facts - perhaps you’ve been there yourself.
Please do leave a comment as I’m sure there’s more history out there than I’ve been able to find.
Grindingly Yours
Rod
Please feel free to click the Facebook link below to share with others - many thanks
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Femme Fatale said,
January 28, 2010 @ 6:27 pm
Rod,
The pictures are wonderful, what a lovely windmill.
I do not know anything about it, but would love to visit it.
FF
xx
Rod said,
January 28, 2010 @ 6:35 pm
FF,
thanks for that, I’m pleased with the pictures - it’s largely thanks to the skies, tripod, infra red remote and a graduated lens filter - I just stand there acting the goat
It’s well worth a visit and I myself knew nothing about till researching this article - it’s a fabulous thing and a gem in the county crown I believe
Regards
Rod
Amiguru said,
January 28, 2010 @ 8:10 pm
Don Quixote!
Lovely pictures and worthy of more exposure. Why don’t you post
them on Flickr? There are two windmill groups, one with 3000+ members and another with 4000+ members. You could watermark and copright protect them……. It would increase your fanbase into the bargain. There are some absolutely fabulous images of mills on there.
I am sailing, i am…….
le
N
Little Brother said,
January 28, 2010 @ 8:51 pm
Rod,
Really lovely photographs, well played.
LB
Rod said,
January 29, 2010 @ 8:29 am
Neville,
thanks Sancho !
I’m tilting at windmill in my own little world most of the time so thought I ought to see the real thing
I perhaps ought to use Flickr Neville, I’ve a couple of accounts, one I set up only months after they launched perhaps I ought to revive them and make some use of them
Best
Rod
Rod said,
January 29, 2010 @ 8:30 am
LB,
it was a great day, cold but good light and big skies in Lincolnshire mean you have to be out!
Cheers
Rod
Amiguru said,
February 17, 2010 @ 9:08 pm
Rod,
Have just watched the Dave & Simon on ‘The Hairy Bakers’ and they went for their flour to Kirton-in-Lindsey mill!
Did you see it?
N
le
Rod said,
February 18, 2010 @ 8:00 am
Neville,
no I’m afraid I didn’t see it - ‘hairy Bakers’ sounds like a potential hygiene issue to me
Looks like a place to visit - just checked it out - another one on the list !
Best
Rod