Fulwell Windmill is situated on Newcastle Road heading towards Boldon. This grade II listed building has recently had its 200th birthday. This limestone construction was built from materials from Fulwell Quarry and opened in 1808 having taken around 2 years to construct.
The original sails remained until 1924 when a gas engine whas fitted to allow the the Moody family to compete with other flour mills in the area. The mill produced animal feed right up to its closure in in 1949 when the then current owner retired.
Plan of Fulwell Mill: Kindly borrowed from the free guide available from the Visitor Centre.
Inside the Mill
Slightly different to the typical 5 storey English tower mill because the outside gallery forms an integral part of the main structure. The ground floor would have been used for deliveries from local farms awaiting processing and where finished product would be despatched.
The first floor would be where the miller would have cleaning, sorting machines as well as a barley dresser and bolter which would have been used for grading the flour.
The main operating area of the mill and also where the main driveshaft connects to other drives will have been on the second floor.
The millstones are housed on the 3rd floor , known as the " stone floor". Covered by a wooden vat or tun there is currently a pair of millstones which are in an operational condition here in the mill.
The fourth floor, or "bin floor" is where the access door is for the sacks brought up from the outside by the hoist.
The fifth floor has no public access but can be viewed through a perspex floor fitted during restoration so that the wood and iron mechanism can be enjoyed by visitors on open days.
The first floor would be where the miller would have cleaning, sorting machines as well as a barley dresser and bolter which would have been used for grading the flour.
The main operating area of the mill and also where the main driveshaft connects to other drives will have been on the second floor.
The millstones are housed on the 3rd floor , known as the " stone floor". Covered by a wooden vat or tun there is currently a pair of millstones which are in an operational condition here in the mill.
The fourth floor, or "bin floor" is where the access door is for the sacks brought up from the outside by the hoist.
The fifth floor has no public access but can be viewed through a perspex floor fitted during restoration so that the wood and iron mechanism can be enjoyed by visitors on open days.
Re opened in 2001 after restoration work, this fantastic piece of our heritage now has a Manager and Curator who work closely with a volunteer group called " Friends of Fulwell Windmill " who work extremely hard so that we can enjoy this magnificant building.
The Centre is open 12 - 4 every Sunday nearly all year as well as Saturdays in the Summer . Contact Details: 0191 516 9790
