The Bradwell Windmill Project celebrates one of Milton Keynes’ most distinctive landmarks. Led by Milton Keynes City Council and made possible with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Milton Keynes Museum and the City Council, the project was launched in May 2025 and is running until the end of 2026.
Built around 1805, Bradwell Windmill is believed to be the oldest tower mill in Buckinghamshire and featured on many of the advertisements used to promote the New Town in the 1970s. The Bradwell Windmill Project involves major restoration of the mill itself, as well as an events programme inviting local residents to build a deeper connection with the heritage of the structure, the area, the natural environment and food heritage. This programme has been developed as a partnership between Milton Keynes City Council, Milton Keynes Museum, Living Archive MK, Milton Keynes Arts Centre and resident groups.
To the end of 2025, over 1,500 people had taken part in Bradwell Windmill Project’s events programme: from history and nature walks to story-telling events, craft activities and a community lantern parade. In 2026, many more events and activities are planned, most of which are FREE; full details can be found at:
www.bradwellwindmillproject.co.uk
A new film by Ryan Harvey features contemporary and archival images of the Windmill, interviews with the people involved in the Bradwell Windmill Project and information about what’s happening – view the film on the
Bradwell Windmill website.
Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking, Cllr Shanika Mahendran said: “It’s been wonderful to see so many people getting involved with the Bradwell Windmill project, it shows just how much this landmark means to our community. We’re really proud to be restoring the mill and creating events that bring people together to share stories, learn something new and enjoy the area’s heritage.”
