Information for record number MWA854:
Napton Windmill

Summary Napton Windmill. A Windmill was originally built on this location during the Post Medieval period. The current Windmill dates to the Imperial period. It was later converted to a steam mill. It is situated on Napton Hill.
What Is It?  
Type: Windmill, Steam Plant, Mill
Period: Post-medieval - Industrial (1540 AD - 1913 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Napton on the Hill
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 45 61
(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: )
Listed Building (Grade: II)
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

  
Description

  
Source Number  

1 The hill is crowned by a windmill, whose predecessor can be traced as far back as 1543. There are frequent later references.
2 A four storeyed, once tarred, brick tower on a stone foundation with basement below ground level. It stands some 152m above OD on the edge of a great clay quarry, and has since its construction in the late 19th century been a prominent landmark. It has suffered a great deal from neglect, wind and weather. 1972: a superficial restoration of windows, doors, cap and new sails. 1976: a great storm snapped off two of its sweeps. Derelict but in fair condition. On small mound. First half 19th century. Originally had 2 common and 2 spring sails and 3 prs of stones. Ceased working by sail c1900 and by steam c1909.
3 The mill has now been converted into a house.
4 Much altered late 20th century, is not of special architectural interest.
5 A letter from 1965 concerned with saving the windmill.
6 Drawing of the windmill from 1974.
 
Sources
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 6, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1951
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: VI
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Windmills in Warwickshire
Author/originator: Seaby W and Smith A
Date: 1977
Page Number: 6, 16
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: LBL
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1986
Page Number: 17
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Napton Windmill
Author/originator: Ogden D
Date: 1965
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Drawing
Title: Napton Windmill
Author/originator: Owen, M. Warwickshire Youth Service
Date: 1974
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Descriptive Text
Title: Warwickshire Monuments Evaluation and Presentation Project
Author/originator: Baker H
Date: 1987
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Field Survey Form
   
Images:  
The windmill at Napton on the Hill
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1992
Click here for larger image  
 
A view of the windmill at Napton on the Hill
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1910s
Click here for larger image  
 
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
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
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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period Post Medieval About 1540 AD to 1750 AD (the 16th century AD to the 18th century AD)

The Post Medieval period comes after the medieval period and before the Imperial period.

This period covers the second half of the reign of the Tudors (1485 – 1603), the reign of the Stuarts (1603 – 1702) and the beginning of the reign of the Hannoverians (1714 – 1836).
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period Imperial 1751 AD to 1914 AD (end of the 18th century AD to the beginning of the 20th century AD)

This period comes after the Post Medieval period and before the modern period and starts with beginning of the Industrial Revolution in 1750. It includes the second part of the Hannoverian period (1714 – 1836) and the Victorian period (1837 – 1901). The Imperial period ends with the start of the First World War in 1914.
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monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument STEAM MILL * A steam-powered factory. 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 STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. 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 TOWER * A tall building, either round, square or polygonal in plan, used for a variety of purposes, including defence, as a landmark, for the hanging of bells, industrial functions, etc. Use more specific type where known. back
monument FAIR * A site where a periodical gathering of buyers, sellers and entertainers, meet at a time ordained by charter or statute or by ancient custom. back
monument INDUSTRIAL * This is the top term for the class. See INDUSTRIAL Class List for narrow terms. back
monument STEAM PLANT * An industrial site or building where the machinery is powered by a steam engine. back
monument BASEMENT * Component. Use wider site type where known. back
monument SPRING * A point where water issues naturally from the rock or soil onto the ground or into a body of surface water. back
monument QUARRY * An excavation from which stone for building and other functions, is obtained by cutting, blasting, etc. back
monument MOUND * A natural or artificial elevation of earth or stones, such as the earth heaped upon a grave. Use more specific type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record