Brixton Windmill keeps London's last working mill turning for the community

Just off Brixton Hill stands one of south London's most surprising sights: a working windmill. Brixton Windmill is London's last working windmill, and thanks to a dedicated group of local volunteers, it is busier than ever.

The Grade II* listed mill was built in 1816 to grind flour. Locals called it Ashby's Mill, after the family of millers who ran it, and production continued until 1934. The mill first opened to the public in the 1960s, when the surrounding land became a park, and after periods of use and neglect it was restored by Lambeth Council with Heritage Lottery funding, returning to public use in 2011.

The Friends of Windmill Gardens, formed in 2003, care for the mill and the park around it. In 2020 they began managing a new education and community centre on the site, funded by Lambeth Council and designed by Squire and Partners. "Brixton Windmill has been at the heart of Lambeth for over 200 years," said Jean Kerrigan, chair of the Friends, when the centre opened.

The windmill is not just a museum piece. The Friends mill Brixton Windmill flour, which is used by local bakeries, restaurants and retailers, and it features in the site's baking sessions. This summer there were free family bake clubs for children aged 7 to 12, using Brixton Windmill flour.

The 2026 programme showed how much the gardens offer. There was an open air performance of Romeo and Juliet in the park in July, a free Art in the Park day of craft workshops in August, and open weekends with guided tours of the mill, when the shop and café open too. Nursery and primary pupils visit for school workshops run by a learning facilitator and education volunteers.

Volunteers keep it all going, and the Friends welcome new helpers at their regular gardening sessions, where everyone is invited to join in.

For a slice of living history in the middle of the city, it is hard to beat. Touring the mill and buying a bag of its flour is a very Brixton kind of day out.

Brixton Windmill is in Windmill Gardens, at the west end of Blenheim Gardens off Brixton Hill, SW2 5EU. For open days, tours and events, visit brixtonwindmill.org.