An 18th-century windmill nestled within Scarborough’s terraced streets has been listed for sale at £695,000, offering a rare opportunity to acquire a piece of the town’s rich historical fabric.
The striking Grade II listed building, which once served as a corn mill, has undergone an extensive transformation from its utilitarian past into a holiday accommodation with impressive architectural pedigree.
Constructed in 1784, the windmill’s origins trace back over 250 years, with records suggesting wind-powered mills have operated on this site for more than five centuries.
Over the years, the mill has witnessed various incarnations, including a period starting in 1898 when its six sails were removed, replaced by engine-driven machinery.
It continued to function as a mill until its closure in 1927, after which it fell into disrepair.
The current owner’s vision has revitalised the historic structure into an 11-bedroom, ten-bathroom holiday cottage complex, spanning 60 feet in height, featuring a bespoke circular kitchen situated at the base of the former mill tower.
Among the standout features is a balcony suite offering sweeping, 360-degree panoramic views of the seaside town, making it an enviable residence for prospective buyers or investors.
The conversion process preserved the building’s distinctive character while transforming its interior into a modern space.
Marketed by Silver Tree estate agents, a spokesperson said: ‘A truly rare opportunity to acquire Scarborough’s only surviving windmill — a striking Grade II listed landmark dating back to 1784 and now home to a profitable and highly distinctive hospitality business.’
The windmill’s survival was fiercely protected in the 1980s when plans for demolition threatened its future.
Thanks to local community efforts, the building was saved from destruction and later transformed into a hotel and restaurant before its most recent conversion into luxury flats.
The £695,000 price tag is significantly higher than the average house price in Scarborough, which Rightmove puts at £199,364, and the elevated cost is unsurprising for a property of its size.
However, residents of London and Southern England may see the historic windmill as a bargain opportunity.
In London, Rightmove notes that the average price of a terraced property over the past year was £739,966 — roughly £45,000 more than the Scarborough windmill.
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