Windmill Gardens

Windmill Gardens is a small public green open space which is the home of the Brixton Windmill.

Brixton Windmill is a unique Grade II* listed monument that was once used for grinding corn and other cereals for flour. The Windmill once sat in a large area of open land, but most of this was gradually sold off and used for housing and other developments through the 19th century, which meant that the Windmill found it increasingly difficult to gather enough wind to operate successfully. Although various other methods were tried to provide power, the Windmill finally ceased working in the 1930s.

In 1957, London County Council (LCC) bought the 2.5 acres of land on which the Windmill and associated was located and turned turn it into a public open space called ‘Windmill Gardens’. By the early 1960s the bakery, outbuildings, Mill House and Mill Cottage had all been demolished to make space for the new public gardens. The Gardens still contains a children’s playground, seating, mature trees, native hedges and various types of boundary landscaping.

Over time the Windmill gradually fell into disrepair, but local residents formed the Friends of Windmill Gardens to help campaign for its protection and eventual restoration. In 2010 a grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, supported by funding from Lambeth Council, enabled it to be restored to start grinding corn again, and to provide managed public access to discover its contents and construction. In 2015 the Friends secured funding to build a new education centre in Windmill Gardens. The Brixton Windmill Centre was finally completed in July 2020 and it is now available for schools, training and events, supporting both the Brixton Windmill and the rest of the Gardens.

Windmill Gardens is one of 4 holders of the Green Flag Community Award in Lambeth, which recognises the achievements made by the Friends and local community to provide visitors and residents with a safe, welcoming and popular open space they can be proud of.

Other useful information

Friends of Windmill Gardens (FoWG) - Friends of Windmill Gardens

Green Flag Award – Green Flag Award

The Brixton Windmill Centre - Brixton Windmill Centre