Information for record number MWA783:
Chesterton Windmill

Summary A 17th century circular stone windmill of unique design, one of the structures forming part of a designed landscape associated with the Peyto mansion at Chesterton. It has been restored, and much of the original machinery is still in place. It stands on windmill Hill.
What Is It?  
Type: Windmill, Mill
Period: Post-medieval (1540 AD - 1750 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Chesterton and Kingston
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 34 59
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Scheduled Monument (Grade: )
Listed Building (Grade: I)
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

 
Description

 
Source Number  

1 Handsome stone windmill erected in 1632 on site of earlier mill for Sir Edward Peyto, after a design by Inigo Jones. The roof is of domical shape covered with lead, and is made to revolve for the the purpose of adapting the position of the fliers to the direction of the wind.
2 Ancient Monument description.
3 Circular windmill. There is no staircase and access to the upper floor must have been by ladder. This may have been built as an observatory, a gazebo or 'standing' rather than a windmill.
4 Recently restored but has no sails.
5 Much of the machinery is still in place and is in an excellent state of preservation. Building may originally have been an observatory. Said to have been designed by Inigo Jones. It is in his style and of his period although there is no documentary evidence to support the suggestion. The lower storey is pierced with six arched openings. On the first floor are two pairs of stones, and above the second floor are the windshaft and principal gearing. Further details of Building structure given.
6 Sir Edward Peto was very interested in mathematics and may have designed the mill himself.
7 A document in the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust describes the Building as a windmill in 1647. The machinery was extensively modified about 1860 and the mill was last used in 1910. The style is unique. The Building was restored and reopened in 1971.
8 Of exceptional interest to the architect and engineer. Probably originally built as a windmill. Detailed discussion of who built the mill and its history.
9 Notes.
10 Scheduled Monument description.
11 Listed Building description.
12 A volume of accounts for 1633-4 in the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Record Office shows that construction continued in the summer of 1633, and gives details of payments to craftsmen and labourers. The document makes it clear that the original purpose of the Building was as a windmill, not a folly or park Building, and the absence of references to payments to an architect is consistent with the possibility that Sir Edward Peyto designed the Building himself.
13 One of a number of structures associated with a 17th century landscape surrounding Chesterton House.
14 Correspondence from the 1960s.
15 Letter from the DoE about Scheduled Monument consent for replacement of four sails.
16 Location map.
17 Programme for an event marking the restoration in 1971.
18 WCC leaflet.
19 Sails replaced in 2007 following failure of one in 2006.
20 Letter with a few details on the windmill.
21 Letter concerning the opening of Chesterton windmill on 2007.
 
Sources

Source No: 3
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: The Buildings of England: Warwickshire
Author/originator: Pevsner N and Wedgwood A
Date: 1966
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Warwicks
   
Source No: 8
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Windmills in Warwickshire
Author/originator: Seaby W A and Smith A C
Date: 1977
Page Number: 15
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Shakespeare's Land
Author/originator: Ribton-Turner C J
Date: 1893
Page Number: 335, 340
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Chesterton Windmill
Author/originator: WCC
Date: 1971
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 9
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Chesterton Windmill
Author/originator: Ogden D
Date: 1968
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 13
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Warwickshire Register Review Report & Recommendations
Author/originator: Lovie, Jonathan
Date: 1997
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No:
Source Type: Building Survey
Title: Panel for Historical Engineering Works
Author/originator: Institution of Civil Engineers
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 14
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Chesterton Windmill
Author/originator: Ogden, D. and WM
Date: 1965-6
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 15
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Chesterton Windmill
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1988
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 20
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Letter concerning Chesterton Windmill
Author/originator: D Ogden
Date: 1998
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No:
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Letter concerning the opening of Chesterton Windmill in 2006
Author/originator: Midland Wind & Water Mills Group
Date: 2006
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 11
Source Type: Descriptive Text
Title: LBL
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1987
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Stratford
   
Source No: 17
Source Type: Descriptive Text
Title: Chesterton Windmill
Author/originator: WCC
Date: 1971
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 18
Source Type: Descriptive Text
Title: Chesterton Windmill
Author/originator: WCC
Date: 1995
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 16
Source Type: Map
Title: Chesterton
Author/originator: DoE
Date: undated
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Note
Title: Contents of the Peto library
Author/originator: Styles P
Date: 1953
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 12
Source Type: Serial
Title: New Evidence For the Building of Chesterton Windmill
Author/originator: Wise, P
Date: 1995
Page Number: 159-162
Volume/Sheet: Vol IX, No 4
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: Chesterton Windmill
Author/originator: Ministry of Works/DoE
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 10
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: Chesterton Windmill
Author/originator: English Heritage
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: A Warwickshire Windmill
Author/originator: Titley A, Haines H
Date: 1953
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: OS Card, 15SE2
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1968
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 15SE2
   
Source No: 19
Source Type: Verbal communication
Title: Chesterton Windmill
Author/originator: Jones, Emma
Date: 2008
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
Chesterton Windmill
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 2000
Click here for larger image  
 
Restoration of Chesterton Windmill 1963 - 1966
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1960s
Click here for larger image  
 
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
none Scheduled Monument Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs) are those archaeological sites which are legally recognised as being of national importance. They can range in date from prehistoric times to the Cold War period. They can take many different forms, including disused buildings or sites surviving as earthworks or cropmarks.

SAMs are protected by law from unlicensed disturbance and metal detecting. Written consent from the Secretary of State must be obtained before any sort of work can begin, including archaeological work such as geophysical survey or archaeological excavation. There are nearly 200 SAMs in Warwickshire.
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designation Listed Building Buildings and structures, such as bridges, that are of architectural or historical importance are placed on a statutory list. These buildings are protected by planning and conservation acts that ensure that their special features of interest are considered before any alterations are made to them.

Depending on how important the buildings are they are classed as Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II. Grade I buildings are those of exceptional interest. Grade II* are particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Those listed as Grade II are those buildings that are regarded of special interest.
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source LBL Listed Building List. Buildings and structures, such as bridges, that are of architectural or historical importance are placed on a list. Buildings placed on the list are protected through various planning and conservation acts which ensure that their special features of interest are considered before any alterations are made to them. The Listed Buildings List is compiled and maintained by English Heritage. It includes details of where the building is, when it was built, a description of its appearance, and any other special features. back
source OS Card Ordnance Survey Record Card. Before the 1970s the Ordnance Survey (OS) were responsible for recording archaeological monuments during mapping exercises. This helped the Ordnance Survey to decide which monuments to publish on maps. During these exercises the details of the monuments were written down on record cards. Copies of some of the cards are kept at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. The responsibility for recording archaeological monuments later passed to the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments. back
technique Documentary Evidence Documentary evidence is another name for written records. The first written records in Britain date back to the Roman period. Documentary evidence can take many different forms, including maps, charters, letters and written accounts. When archaeologists are researching a site, they often start by looking at documentary evidence to see if there are clues that will help them understand what they might find. Documentary evidence can help archaeologists understand sites that are discovered during an excavation, field survey or aerial survey. back
period Medieval 1066 AD to 1539 AD (the 11th century AD to the 16th century AD)

The medieval period comes after the Saxon period and before the post medieval period.

The Medieval period begins in 1066 AD.
This was the year that the Normans, led by William the Conqueror (1066 – 1087), invaded England and defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings in East Sussex.
The Medieval period includes the first half of the Tudor period (1485 – 1603 AD), when the Tudor family reigned in England and eventually in Scotland too.

The end of the Medieval period is marked by Henry VIII’s (1509 – 1547) order for the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the years running up to 1539 AD. The whole of this period is sometimes called the Middle Ages.
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monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument LIBRARY * A building, room or suite of rooms where books, or other materials, are classified by subject and stored for use by the library's members. back
monument GAZEBO * A garden house situated to provide a commanding view. back
monument WINDMILL * A tower-like structure of wood or brick with a wooden cap and sails which are driven around by the wind producing power to work the internal machinery. Use with product type where known. back
monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. back
monument PARK * An enclosed piece of land, generally large in area, used for hunting, the cultivation of trees, for grazing sheep and cattle or visual enjoyment. Use more specific type where known. back
monument FLOOR * A layer of stone, brick or boards, etc, on which people tread. Use broader site type where known. back
monument MILL * A factory used for processing raw materials. Use more specific mill type where known. See also TEXTILE MILL, for more narrow terms. back
monument MACHINERY * Apparatus used for applying a mechanical force, or to perform a particular function. Use more specific type where known. back
monument ENGINEERING WORKS * Any factory or site using machine tools in a manufacturing or processing capacity. back
monument STRUCTURE * A construction of unknown function, either extant or implied by archaeological evidence. If known, use more specific type. back
monument RECORD OFFICE * A building where official archives are kept for public inspection. back
monument FOLLY * A structure, often found in 18th century landscape gardens, that demonstrates eccentricity or excess rather than practical purpose. They can take many forms - ruins, sham castles, towers, hermits' cells or grottoes. back
monument OBSERVATORY * A building containing celestial telescopes in which astronomical or meteorological phenomena may be observed. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record