It is one of the most complete Windmills in the world. It is under threat housing development which could stop the sails from turning. The Berkswell windmill is a four bladed tower mill constructed in 1826 on the site of a former post mill. It is understood that a Windmill has stood in this site since the 10th Century
It is located within the village of Balsall Common,in the parish of Berkswell and within the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull. The windmill is built in brick with a typical Warwickshire wooden boat shaped cap ( roof)and is turned into the wind by an endless chain winding mechanism. It was historically used to grind flour and animal feeds, and in 1927 the milling wheels were adapted to run off a diesel engine, not reliant upon the variable nature of the wind. The mill was finally closed in 1948, after the last miller John Hammond died. He and his wife Gertrude Hammond are buried in the grounds of Berkswell Church. The Mill was then restored during the 1970s by Mr and Mrs Field and the then later in 2012 by Jeanette McGarry, the present owner, with support from Historic England. The windmill is a grade II star listed building and a scheduled monument. It is in private ownership, but is accessible to the public once a month from Easter Monday through to October, with the help of volunteers . However, it is closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was restored between 1973 and 1975, by the Millwright Derek Ogden, for its then owners Betty and George Field. It is one of the most complete Windmills’s in the world with sails and all original internal machinery and tools for making flour and animal feed. However, after the death of Mr and Mrs Field, the Berkswell Windmill again fell into some disrepair and was added to the Buildings at Risk Register, until purchased by the current owner in 2004. It was then lovingly restored with finance from the owner and Historic England . The refurbishment work included removal of trees and vegetation growing from the brick tower, removal of the windmill's cap for complete refurbishment, restoration of the iron teeth, some replacement bricks, repointing throughout, replacement of some rotten floorboards, internal lime washing, rebuilding of the outer wall and new pitch pine sails, shutters and cloth. Sadly, it is under threat of a possible housing development as Solihull Council have identified the fields opposite the Mill and along Windmill Lane for development. The fields are part of the Meriden Gap a nationally important migratory route for wildlife, connecting the South with the North of England. The fields are also part of the Ancient Forest of Arden and once belonged to the Berkswell Windmill. The 1875 census states that the Berkswell Windmill had 19 acres. Internationally respected Dutch experts have identified that the potential housing development will interfere with the operation of the Mill and may even cause turbulence. Supporters of the Berkswell Windmill continue to campaign to protect this internationally significant historic monument. Supporters of the Berkswell Windmill continue to campaign to save the Windmill and surrounding countryside which is home to Great Crested Newts , bats, Barn Owls, Tawny Owls, hedgehogs, Hares, Deer , badgers, moles and a wealth of flora and fauna. The fields form part of the Ancient Forest of Arden and the Meriden Gap which is a critical migratory route for wildlife, connecting the North with the South of England. The Berkswell Windmill now operates on wind power again and looks truly magnificent! It attracts visitors from all over the world.
