Waltham Windmill 1st April 2026

Cycling UK Louth’s Wednesday Wander to Waltham Windmill 1st April 2026.

After yesterday’s sunshine and a balmy 17 Degrees Celsius, today’s cloudy skies and a forecast top temperature of 14 was a bit of a let-down but still well above the seasonal average. 

Meeting up at the Meridian Centre were John Rickett, Tim Newbery, Steve Croton, Paul Linder and John Parish. Harvey Wright had indicated he’d join us and indeed we met him soon after departure, complete with a spare inner tube.

Our destination was Waltham Windmill which was Ty’s suggestion, although he was working today. A chance to see the completion of its major restoration. The club had previously enjoyed an ‘Exploration Ride’ and tour of the mill back in July 2018.

Heading out through Brackenborough, the Covenhams and Fulstow, we were pleased to meet up with a number of solo cyclists and small groups. Pleasantries were exchanged. Arriving at Grainsby Holme near Tetney we bade farewell to Paul who had arranged a carvery lunch at Louth’s Garden Centre (he’d still clock up 50 miles or more) whilst the remainder headed for Holton le Clay and the cycleway past Toll Bar School to Waltham.

Arriving on schedule, Back to Basics Café was busy inside but we had the outside seating all to ourselves. For some baked beans on toast, for others slices of cake along with large pots of tea and coffee. Always great value. Sadly, the miniature railway next to the Mill wasn’t operating until 12 noon today so we just missed out. Run by the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Model Engineering Society, its good fun and it’’ll be up and running throughout Easter.

The history of the mill is a fascinating tale. The first mill (a trestle post mill) was built in 1666 but was blown down in 1744 in a ferocious storm. Rebuilt in 1769, she (windmills are female!) was destroyed again by strong winds. The current six double sided sailed tower mill was commissioned in 1878 (the same year as the formation of our organisation) and built by Saundersons of Louth at a cost of £500. An extra £50 to add a balcony was deemed too expensive. The mill was active for many years being latterly converted to use steam power and then by electric motor. It was also used as a lookout post by the Home Guard in WWII. By the 1950's, although still working, it became very run down and closed in 1966 before being saved by the Waltham Windmill Preservation Society which now looks after the mill.

Painted and tarred every five years, the mill recently required major restoration to its cap and sails. The preservation society was awarded a £163,120 grant to carry out the work by Historic England after being put on its "at risk" register. Suffolk Millwrights repaired the cap in August 2024 whilst the six sails were rebuilt and reinstalled just a few weeks ago. It’ll be open again to the public over the Easter weekend.

Time to head back to Louth, the route had us climbing up Ashby Hill before a pleasant meander through the woods at East Ravendale and onwards past Wold Newton. Plenty of bird song and the distinctive varied trills, whistles, and shakes of Skylark is characteristic of Spring.

The descent along North Elkington Lane to the Dales and Fotherby always exhilarating and with winds still relatively light, we arrived back at the Leisure Centre about 1.45 pm for a final cup of coffee and a chat. For the Louth contingent, 36 miles covered.

Tim’s Relive Video: https://www.relive.com/view/vAOZmLz2eyv