The mill yard. This area is now Windmill Gardens. London
Borough of Lambeth, Archives Department
Brixton Windmill is a tower mill constructed in 18-inch (46cm) thick
brickwork and is 39.5 feet (12 metres) high. It was originally painted
with tar to give protection against the weather - hence the black
colour of the brickwork. When the mill was in working order, the wooden
cap (which looks like an upturned boat) and sails would have turned
to face the wind. Nearby stood the miller's house, a cottage, a bakery
and outbuildings, but these were all demolished in about 1960.
You can find out more about the windmill in Windmills in Lambeth,
a historical survey by Michael Short. It is out of print but can
be found in Lambeth Libraries and Lambeth Archives.
