Friends of Windmill Gardens open Brixton Windmill for free tours on the second weekend of every month from April- October.
On a tour of Brixton Windmill you will see two sets of millstones – the original wind-powered machinery, and the smaller stones installed by the Ashby family in 1902 that were driven by steam. Now they run on electricity and are used by our volunteer millers to produce Brixton Windmill flour.
The tour takes 30 minutes, and you must book in advance. Tours usually get booked up very quickly. If we get cancellations we advertise these on our social media.
Because of the limited space inside the windmill and government guidelines on social distancing, restrictions may apply during your visit. You will need to bring and wear your own face mask. Hand sanitiser and hand washing facilities are available. Please follow NHS advice on the coronavirus and do not attend if you have symptoms or are in a high-risk group.
If there are no places available for a full tour, we also run ‘turn up and go’ short tours throughout the afternoon on our open weekends.
See the internal workings on the first floor of the original mill, along with the now electric powered millstones and hear the fascinating story of the family who once owned the windmill. Booking is not required for short tours but be aware that entry is not guaranteed and you may have to queue. Children need to be able to climb the stairs unaided. Tours last 20 minutes. Last entry is 20 minutes before closing time.
Mid-Week Tours
You can also book to visit the Windmill during the week for a group visit, including a private tour of the Windmill, copy of our guidebook, and tea/coffee and cake at the end.
The windmill is situated in a small park called Windmill Gardens.
The park is at the top end of Blenheim Gardens road.
Windmill Gardens
100 Blenheim Gardens
Brixton Hill
London SW2 5DA
If travelling in a vehicle northbound down Brixton Hill, you are not allowed to turn left into Blenheim Gardens road, carry on and access the windmill via next left into St Saviour’s Road. (GLA 2021 No.0195 Experimental Traffic Order)
You can still turn right from Brixton Hill into Blenheim Gardens road.
We love to welcome visitors to Brixton Windmill, and we hope you will enjoy learning about this unique building. As well as telling you about the windmill and its history, our guides and stewards are also there to ensure your safety – so please stay with them and listen to their advice and instructions to help get the most from your visit.
As a former industrial building, Brixton Windmill has potential dangers, including steep ladders, low beams and heavy machinery. It’s also a very small space, so the number of visitors at any one time is restricted. You will be asked to sign in on the ground floor.
For safety reasons, children less than 1.2 metres tall are not allowed in the windmill. Children younger than 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
For a full tour to the top floor you need to be able to climb narrow stairs. For visitors with disabilities we aim to deliver as much interpretation as possible from the ground floor.
If you have mobility problems, health concerns or don’t like heights or climbing ladders, you may also prefer to remain on the ground or first floor. Please tell the guide or steward if you think you may have problems.
We hope you enjoy your visit!
Plan your journey: https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/
The following buses pass Brixton Underground and the Windmill: 45, 59, 109, 118, 133, 159, 250 and 333. Alight at Blenheim Gardens. (Coming from Brixton tube station, it’s the third stop.)
Brixton Underground (Victoria line) – 1 mile
Brixton Train overground – 1 mile
Clapham North Underground (Northern line) – 1.2 miles
Streatham Hill Train overground – 1.2 miles
The windmill is situated one mile south of Brixton on the A23, off Brixton Hill. There is no on-site parking. There is limited on-street parking on surrounding roads but from Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6.30pm you have to pay parking charges (currently £3 an hour, maximum four hours) unless you have a valid permit. Parking at other times is free. If you are using satnav, the postcode is SW2 5DA.
View local cycle routes and quietways on the Transport for London or Cycle Streets websites. From central London take the CS5/CS6 to CS7 cycle superhighway route and leave at Clapham North to continue via B221 Bedford Road/Kings Avenue, Lyham Road and through Blenheim Gardens estate. Or alternatively, leave CS7 at Kennington Park to continue via the busy A23 Brixton Road/Brixton Hill.
The Windmill is a 20 minute walk from Brixton tube, along the flat stretch of lower Brixton Hill.