Windmills in the Sky
Walton Windmill – Walton Hill, Walton, Somerset, UK. ID JB1_1353
There are several windmills in the Somerset but probably the best known are Stembridge, Walton and Ashton mills.
Stembridge
In South Somerset up on the top High Ham is Stembridge Mill.
I found it difficult to get a good angle for a picture of the Stembridge Tower. The National Trust land was closed because of Covid-19. A neighbouring house had a garden full of oxeye daisies that would have made a great foreground. But this is not the time to knock on a stranger’s door.
Stembridge Tower Mill – High Ham, Somerset, UK. ID JB1_3418
This was the best I could do from the road.
Walton
This mill is high on a ridge next to a busy road.
Windmill Farm – Walton Hill, Street, Somerset, UK. ID 805_5274
It is exposed to the winds that cut across the wide open Levels below.
Looking up to Walton Hill, Butleigh Moor, Nr Street, Somerset, UK. ID JB1_3366
Ashton Windmill
This is a design classic. The type of mill where Windy Miller from the children’s TV series Camberwick Green would live.
Ashton Windmill – Chapel Allerton, Somerset, UK. ID DSC_9170P2
Ashton windmill – Chapel Allerton, Somerset, UK. ID 804_8666
Long Gone
Many windmills have disappeared but they are remembered in place names such as Windmill Hill at Westbury-sub-Mendip. It is easy to imagine a windmill sitting on this top.
Windmill Hill – Westbury-sub-Mendip, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_5000
In fact, small hills are dotted all around the landscape – each little ‘island’ could be perfect for a windmill.
Islands in the mist – Westbury-sub-Mendip, Somerset, UK. ID JB1_4232
Skies
Windmills need wind, and that means big skies, and the Somerset Levels delivers some really big skies.
Nyland Hill – Nr Cheddar, Somerset, UK. ID DSC_9156P2
This year we have had some beautiful blue skies. But even in the summer a storm can pass through.
Wind in the Willows – Westhay, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_7176
And Finally…
There is always someone watching.
Cattle on Harter’s Hill – Coxley, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_7210
