Geograph - photograph every grid square

The prominent landmark in the Burton Hills now known as 'The Beacon' may have been a windmill. Around 1600 it was known as 'The Lodge'. The earliest reference to it calls it a 'stonmilne' which was working before 1367. The windmill which gives the hill its name was situated alongside and was believed to have been built in 1664 and ceased work in 1912. It was destroyed in a storm in 1946. Link

Martin Jones has sent in the following interesting reminiscences:- "I remember as a schoolboy the day the windmill blew down in a gale. We all ran up in the evening to look at the wreckage. The granary next to it was open with a window and door missing for years and we (local kids) used to play inside. The day the granary was sealed up by a builder called Mr Thame my brother and I helped mix the cement etc. and we were the last two humans inside before he completely sealed the building.

The beacon was open to the elements for many years during and after WWII. Cattle used is as a shelter and we kids used to play inside as well as
clambering over the locked sails on the windmill. The powers that be must
have decided to restore and seal the building towards the end of the
forties - I think! During the celebrations on VE day (1945) a huge bonfire
was built on the hill near the beacon which we were told could be seen on
the Malvern Hills and beyond."