There have probably been windmills in the Lambeth area since medieval times and 12 sites have been identified, but the Brixton windmill is the only one to have survived. Built in 1816, it was leased the following year by John Ashby. John, his sons and grandson were millers producing stoneground wholemeal flour. The Ashby family operated the mill, which became known as Ashby's Mill, for the whole of its working life.

Ashby's Mill of Tower mill construction, us built in 18inch brick in London Stock. Tarred to keep it water tight. 22ft across at it's base and 49ft high. The cap itself is timber framed and weather boarded and can move into the wind via hand mechnism within it's structure and can also be turned into wind with various chain mechansims. It doesn't have a fan tail like other mills. So the miller has to turn the sails into the Wind.

The tower mill technology allowed the population of britain to grow from 6 million to approx 16 million.

Brixton windmill before 1864 when the original sails were removed. From the collection of the late MT Mason, London Borough of Lambeth, Archives Department.