Marsh Mill: Historic Tower Windmill of Thornton-Cleveleys

Explore Marsh Mill, a towering 18th-century windmill in Lancashire, fully restored and showcasing historic milling heritage and architecture.

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Marsh Mill is a remarkable 18th-century tower windmill in Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, built in 1794 by millwright Ralph Slater for Bold Hesketh. Standing over 70 feet tall with five storeys, it functioned as a corn mill until the 1920s and has been fully restored to working order. Designated a Grade II* listed building, it is one of the finest and best-preserved windmills in North West England, showcasing original machinery and traditional architecture.

A brief summary to Marsh Mill

73 Fleetwood Rd N, Thornton-Cleveleys, FY5 4AB, GB
+441253863586
Visit website
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Budget
Outdoor
Mobile reception: 4 out of 5

Saturday 10:30 am-4:30 pm
Sunday 10:30 am-4:30 pm

Local tips

Visit on weekends when the mill is open to explore the interior and see the machinery up close.
Combine your visit with a meal or refreshments at the nearby Marsh Mill Tavern.
Wear comfortable shoes to enjoy the external wooden stage around the mill for panoramic views.
Check opening hours in advance, as the mill is typically open only on weekends.

Getting There

Bus

Take local bus services from Blackpool or Fleetwood to Thornton-Cleveleys; the journey typically takes 20 to 40 minutes. Buses run regularly but check timetables for weekend service. From the bus stop, Marsh Mill is a 10-minute walk along Fleetwood Road North.
Car

Driving from nearby Blackpool or Fleetwood takes approximately 15 to 25 minutes via A585 and local roads. Limited parking is available near Marsh Mill; expect some walking on footpaths. Parking may be restricted during events.
Train and Walk

The nearest train station is Poulton-le-Fylde, about 6 miles away. From there, take a local taxi or bus to Thornton-Cleveleys, then walk around 15 minutes to Marsh Mill. This option is suitable for travelers combining rail and local transit.

Marsh Mill location weather suitability

Any Weather
Clear Skies
Mild Temperatures

Discover more about Marsh Mill

Origins and Historical Significance

Marsh Mill was commissioned in 1794 by Bold Fleetwood Hesketh, a local landowner of Rossall Hall, and constructed by Ralph Slater, a renowned Fylde millwright. The mill was named after the marshy land in north Fylde that Hesketh had drained to facilitate its construction. As part of a network of 37 windmills in the Fylde region, Marsh Mill played a vital role in local agriculture, initially grinding various grades of flour and later producing meal for farm animals. Its connection to the Hesketh family, notably Peter Hesketh Fleetwood, ties it to the broader history of the area’s development and the founding of Fleetwood town.

Architectural Features and Machinery

The windmill is a tall, tapering tower made of rendered brick, rising more than 70 feet (22.8 meters) with five storeys. It features plain square windows and an attached two-storey kiln house. The internal layout includes storage and drying rooms on the ground and first floors, a meal floor with corn-dressing machinery on the second floor, and the stone floor housing four pairs of millstones. The mill’s distinctive boat-shaped wooden cap is topped with an eight-bladed "Lees Flyer" fantail, which replaced the original chain and wheel winding gear in the 19th century. The original common sails were replaced with patent sails in 1896, enhancing operational efficiency.

Decline, Tragedy, and Adaptive Reuse

Marsh Mill ceased milling operations in the 1920s as newer milling technologies emerged. From 1928 to 1935, it served as a café, until a tragic accident in 1930 when two women fell to their deaths after the fantail platform collapsed. Subsequently, the mill was repurposed for various uses including a furniture store and a false teeth factory. The attached grain drying kiln was converted into a private residence. Despite these changes, the mill’s internal machinery remained intact, preserving its historical integrity.

Preservation and Restoration Efforts

Recognizing its cultural and architectural importance, Marsh Mill was designated a Grade II* listed building in 1950, marking it as a structure of exceptional interest. In 1957, the local council acquired the mill to protect it from further decay. Beginning in 1965, the Marsh Mill Preservation Society undertook a comprehensive 20-year restoration project, restoring the sails, fantail, and internal machinery. Additional repairs completed in 1990 returned the mill to full working order, allowing the sails to turn again after nearly 60 years. Today, it is celebrated as the best-preserved windmill in North West England and an outstanding example of a traditional English tower mill.

The Visitor Experience and Surroundings

Visitors to Marsh Mill can admire its towering presence and historic machinery, gaining insight into 18th and 19th-century milling technology. The mill is surrounded by a craft village, enhancing the cultural atmosphere. Nearby, the Marsh Mill Tavern offers hearty pub fare and a welcoming environment, complementing a visit to this landmark. The mill’s elevated external wooden stage provides close-up views of the sails and the surrounding Fylde landscape, making it a scenic and educational destination.

Legacy and Cultural Importance

Marsh Mill stands as a testament to the agricultural heritage of Lancashire and the ingenuity of historic milling craftsmanship. Its survival through centuries of change, tragedy, and restoration reflects the community’s dedication to preserving local history. The mill not only illustrates the technological evolution of wind-powered grain milling but also embodies the spirit of regional identity and resilience. It remains a cherished landmark and a symbol of Thornton-Cleveleys’ rich past.

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Your Ultimate Free Travel Guide

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Marsh Mill: Historic Tower Windmill of Thornton-Cleveleys

A brief summary to Marsh Mill

Local tips

For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you

Getting There

Bus

Car

Train and Walk

Marsh Mill location weather suitability

Unlock the Best of Marsh Mill

Buy tickets

Book tours with entry

Book tours without entry

Discover more about Marsh Mill

Origins and Historical Significance

Architectural Features and Machinery

Decline, Tragedy, and Adaptive Reuse

Preservation and Restoration Efforts

The Visitor Experience and Surroundings

Legacy and Cultural Importance

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Everything Blackpool

Blackpool War Memorial

Blackpool Town Hall

Jimmy Armfield Statue

South Pier Blackpool

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Flying Machines

Ripley's Believe It Or Not, Blackpool

The Ghost Train

The Big One

Lytham Windmill

Brock Valley Picnic Site

Piel Castle

Lancaster Castle

The Cottage Museum

Unmissable attractions to see

Cleveleys Seafront

Niamos beach

Mary's Shell

Norbreck Slipway.

Fleetwood Marsh Nature Reserve

Devonshire Road Rock Gardens

Affinity Lancashire Outlet Shopping

jubilee quay

North shore beach

Jubilee Gardens (Gynn Square)

Spitfire Island

Blackpool Shows And Attractions

Kingscote Park, Blackpool

Rossall Point Watch Tower

Stanley Park

Essential places to dine

Twelve Restaurant and Lounge Bar

Level 6 Restaurant: Blackpool and The Fylde College

Terra Nostra Restaurant

Italian fusion

Ciao Ciao

La Bottega

Common Bar & Kitchen

Kwizeen Restaurant Blackpool

Hauze

Sapori

Three Piers Cookhouse + Pub

Michael Wan's Mandarin

Michael Wan's Wok Inn • Pan-Asian Street Food

La Fontana Ristorante Italiano

Twisted Indian street food blackpool

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

Blossom Boutique

Love Faith Hope Boutique

Cassidy's Closet Boutique

Springfields

Enchanted flame

Hermosa Boutique

Scotties Got It

The Repository

Henry's Nirvana Bazaar

PAWS AND CLAWS GIFTS

Bubbles Den