Chesterton windmill, Warwickshire

Chesterton Windmill
Erected in 1632 from a design attributed to Inigo Jones. The nmachinery was extensively modified in 1860 but last used in 1910.
The Warwickshire County Council are now guardians of the windmill and responsible for its upkeep.
Restoration work wa commenced in 1966 and completed in 1971 under the control of Warwickshire County Council and the direction of the County Architect Mr Eric Davis. Work on the building was carried out by E H Burgess Ltd of Leamington Spa and the reconstruction of the machinery by Mr Derek Ogden of Great Alne.
The design of the mill is unique bothe structurally and mechanically.
Originally there was a central timber structure containing a staircase and the lower bay of the hoist.
Most of the gearing is of timber, two outstanding items being the compass arm fixing of the eight feet diameter brake wheel and the lantern pinion wallower. The millstones are on the firsdt floor set on a timber frame known as a hurst, an arrangement not often found in English windmills. The sails are of the common cloth spread type. The cap is turned into the wind by a hand operated geared winch mounted on the framework in the cap, which engages with a rack located on top of the tower.