Thaxted

Travel Guide

Lovely walk on local public pathway with fantastic views of Windmill known variously as John Webb's Mill or Lowe's Mill.

Thaxted Windmill is a grade II listed tower mill on the edge of the historic hilltop town of Thaxted, about 6 miles south east of Saffron Walden. The mill stands 48 feet high, and is made of red brick, with four wooden sails.

The mill was erected in 1804 on land owned by John Webb, a successful businessman who owned a number of properties locally, including a brick and tile work, and the local Swan Inn. There were 4 other mills in Thaxted at the time, but these were traditional post mills, whereas Webb's Mill was built to a tower design (a post mill rotates the entire body of the structure around a central column, while a tower mill rotates a moveable cap to which the sails are attatched). 

The family of millers who worked the mill were the Lowe family, and so the building is sometimes referred to as Lowe's Mill. Interestingly, one of the recent leaders of the John Webb’s Windmill Trust that runs the mill is a direct descendent of the Lowe family. 

The building material was local brick, fired just half a mile away, and there were 3 sets of millstones. The mill was in operation for just over a century, but by 1907 it was uneconomic to keep open. The advent of efficient steam engines made wind power less appealling and more costly. 

#red #windmill #sunset #uk #britain #england
Lovely walk on local public pathway with fantastic views of Windmill known variously as John Webb's Mill or Lowe's Mill.

Thaxted Windmill is a grade II listed tower mill on the edge of the historic hilltop town of Thaxted, about 6 miles south east of Saffron Walden. The mill stands 48 feet high, and is made of red brick, with four wooden sails.

The mill was erected in 1804 on land owned by John Webb, a successful businessman who owned a number of properties locally, including a brick and tile work, and the local Swan Inn. There were 4 other mills in Thaxted at the time, but these were traditional post mills, whereas Webb's Mill was built to a tower design (a post mill rotates the entire body of the structure around a central column, while a tower mill rotates a moveable cap to which the sails are attatched). 

The family of millers who worked the mill were the Lowe family, and so the building is sometimes referred to as Lowe's Mill. Interestingly, one of the recent leaders of the John Webb’s Windmill Trust that runs the mill is a direct descendent of the Lowe family. 

The building material was local brick, fired just half a mile away, and there were 3 sets of millstones. The mill was in operation for just over a century, but by 1907 it was uneconomic to keep open. The advent of efficient steam engines made wind power less appealling and more costly. 

#red #windmill #sunset #uk #britain #england
Find a new advent window display in Thaxted every day during December, up to the 24th of December. Inspired by the hugely popular event in Saltaire, 2017 is the first for Thaxted. A new window is lit at 5pm on their given day and remain lit every evening until at least Christmas. There are some charming, beautiful and wonderful windows to be seen. 


#red #longexposure #lighttrails #christmasishere #festive #advent #christmas #uk #britain #england
Lovely walk on local public pathway with fantastic views of Windmill known variously as John Webb's Mill or Lowe's Mill.

Thaxted Windmill is a grade II listed tower mill on the edge of the historic hilltop town of Thaxted, about 6 miles south east of Saffron Walden. The mill stands 48 feet high, and is made of red brick, with four wooden sails.

The mill was erected in 1804 on land owned by John Webb, a successful businessman who owned a number of properties locally, including a brick and tile work, and the local Swan Inn. There were 4 other mills in Thaxted at the time, but these were traditional post mills, whereas Webb's Mill was built to a tower design (a post mill rotates the entire body of the structure around a central column, while a tower mill rotates a moveable cap to which the sails are attatched). 

The family of millers who worked the mill were the Lowe family, and so the building is sometimes referred to as Lowe's Mill. Interestingly, one of the recent leaders of the John Webb’s Windmill Trust that runs the mill is a direct descendent of the Lowe family. 

The building material was local brick, fired just half a mile away, and there were 3 sets of millstones. The mill was in operation for just over a century, but by 1907 it was uneconomic to keep open. The advent of efficient steam engines made wind power less appealling and more costly. 

#red #windmill #sunset #uk #britain #england
Lovely walk on local public pathway with fantastic views of Windmill known variously as John Webb's Mill or Lowe's Mill.

Thaxted Windmill is a grade II listed tower mill on the edge of the historic hilltop town of Thaxted, about 6 miles south east of Saffron Walden. The mill stands 48 feet high, and is made of red brick, with four wooden sails.

The mill was erected in 1804 on land owned by John Webb, a successful businessman who owned a number of properties locally, including a brick and tile work, and the local Swan Inn. There were 4 other mills in Thaxted at the time, but these were traditional post mills, whereas Webb's Mill was built to a tower design (a post mill rotates the entire body of the structure around a central column, while a tower mill rotates a moveable cap to which the sails are attatched). 

The family of millers who worked the mill were the Lowe family, and so the building is sometimes referred to as Lowe's Mill. Interestingly, one of the recent leaders of the John Webb’s Windmill Trust that runs the mill is a direct descendent of the Lowe family. 

The building material was local brick, fired just half a mile away, and there were 3 sets of millstones. The mill was in operation for just over a century, but by 1907 it was uneconomic to keep open. The advent of efficient steam engines made wind power less appealling and more costly. 

#red #windmill #sunset #uk #britain #england #eastanglia #colours #history #perspectives

The Annual Holiday Sale

Members save up to 40% on hotels. Plan this year’s big trip and save.
Swan Hotel Thaxted by Greene King Inns

Swan Hotel Thaxted by Greene King Inns

3 out of 5
Bull Ring Dunmow England
The price is S$100 per night from 20 Mar to 21 Mar
S$100
20 Mar - 21 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this inn in Dunmow. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions Great ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (447 reviews)
Clean room, good free car park, good choice of beers, good choice of pub food, great choice of breakfast

Reviewed on 5 Feb, 2026

Swan Hotel Thaxted by Greene King Inns
Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport

Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport

4 out of 5
Waltham Close Stansted Airport Bishop's Stortford England
The price is S$155 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
S$155
29 Mar - 30 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Bishop's Stortford. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,621 reviews)
Good quality hotel, room nice. Staff, not so much. Got the job done but with no warmth, graciousness or attempt to make our stay enjoyable. Perhaps it was because I’m just back from America but I find the standards of UK hospitality are slipping dreadfully. And this was very clear at this hotel.

Reviewed on 1 Mar, 2026

Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport
Hampton by Hilton London Stansted Airport

Hampton by Hilton London Stansted Airport

3 out of 5
Bassingbourn Road, Essex Stansted England
The price is S$173 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
S$173
8 Mar - 9 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Stansted. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,321 reviews)
Clean staff very polite and friendly especially Faye who booked us in at check in, very helpful, professional and friendly.

Reviewed on 28 Feb, 2026

Hampton by Hilton London Stansted Airport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Regent Aparthotel

The Regent Aparthotel

3.5 out of 5
41 Regent St Cambridge England
Stay at this aparthotel in Cambridge. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (278 reviews)
Great location, very kind and friendly staff

Reviewed on 28 Feb, 2026

The Regent Aparthotel
Beautiful Studio in Cambridge City Centre

Beautiful Studio in Cambridge City Centre

3 out of 5
Cambridge England
Stay at this apartment in Cambridge. Enjoy free Wi-Fi and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Cambridge Muslim Welfare Society and Fenner's are located ...
Beautiful Studio in Cambridge City Centre
Citystay Living - Holland Place

Citystay Living - Holland Place

4 out of 5
Ross St Cambridge England
Stay at this apartment in Cambridge. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and dry cleaning or laundry services. Popular attractions Mill Road and Cambridge ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
Everything was fine. The only problem was the week mobile network coverage. I don't know how that can be solved

Reviewed on 6 Dec, 2025

Citystay Living - Holland Place
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do