seacroft windmill
The windmill stands at the Seacroft junction of the A64 and the A6120 Leeds Ring road, at Millgreen View.
It is thought that the mill could be the flint mill mentioned by John Smeaton in 1774, and was one of several local tower mills grinding corn.
In 1822, William Chippindale moved from Yeadon to Seacroft mill and it is said that, on his 80th birthday in 1842, he stood on his head on top of Seacroft mill to show that his health was good.
It was owned by the Wilson family in the mid-19th century and rented to James Pearson. It was a landmark for hundreds of years in Leeds, and stood with its lead crown topper, surrounded by only a few outbuildings and a gamekeeper’s cottage, surrounded by acres of farmland on Whinmoor Common. The top of it was made by Crossgates plumber Mr Willie Wood, on the instructions of Mr Darcy Wilson, then Squire of Seacroft.
The Mill tower never had any sails, and was used for grinding corn, but a mystery remains about how the mill was powered.
The Mill is listed as a building of architectural and historic interest.
It fell into disrepair and it was around 1970 when a hotel group began seeking planning permission. It took several years of wrangling for permission to be granted for the application.
In 1973 Leeds Corporation approved plans for a 40-bed motel incorporating the old windmill. It was a condition of agreement that the old mill was retained, and was successfully incorporated the old stone tower into the design.
It is thought that the mill could be the flint mill mentioned by John Smeaton in 1774, and was one of several local tower mills grinding corn.
In 1822, William Chippindale moved from Yeadon to Seacroft mill and it is said that, on his 80th birthday in 1842, he stood on his head on top of Seacroft mill to show that his health was good.
It was owned by the Wilson family in the mid-19th century and rented to James Pearson. It was a landmark for hundreds of years in Leeds, and stood with its lead crown topper, surrounded by only a few outbuildings and a gamekeeper’s cottage, surrounded by acres of farmland on Whinmoor Common. The top of it was made by Crossgates plumber Mr Willie Wood, on the instructions of Mr Darcy Wilson, then Squire of Seacroft.
The Mill tower never had any sails, and was used for grinding corn, but a mystery remains about how the mill was powered.
The Mill is listed as a building of architectural and historic interest.
It fell into disrepair and it was around 1970 when a hotel group began seeking planning permission. It took several years of wrangling for permission to be granted for the application.
In 1973 Leeds Corporation approved plans for a 40-bed motel incorporating the old windmill. It was a condition of agreement that the old mill was retained, and was successfully incorporated the old stone tower into the design.
