Brill Windmill
We have been to Brill Windmill in all seasons but nothing beats it on a sunny day. Set against a blue sky it just looks majestic atop of the hill on Brill Common. Restored and repaired with funding from English Heritage in 2009 after weathering had caused timer decay, the windmill is usually open to the public between March and September but due to coronavirus it’s another adventure to look forward to next year.
The windmill isn’t the only highlight of the area; children will love running up and down the undulating landscape of Brill Common, hiding under trees and tearing through long grass. My three wild ones all tumbled down the hill, their legs going too fast for their bodies, landing in a heap on the ground laughing hysterically and covered in grass stains. That’s the kind of summer fun I love to see.
Explore further from the windmill for public footpath signs, including a ‘Bernwood Jubilee Way’ sign, I could not contain my excitement when i saw it — another new walk discovered! Head down the common with the windmill as your back until you reach a stone path, you will see the signs from there.
The Berwood Jubilee Way is 61 mile walk, a celebration of the Queen’s Jubilee. You may recall that I enjoyed the 10 mile Oxford Jubilee Walk back in March, although it was an adults only walk, and this is similar although broken down into smaller chucks. The Brill to Boarstall Circular Walk is 5.5 miles but we only completed a very small section of that before turning back. What we saw, we loved: lush green fields full of ewes and their lambs, streams, frogs and just general delightful countryside. It’s worth an amble with little ones, even a small part of the way.
Bring a picnic blanket, bring the kids, bring your walking legs and enjoy a wonderful day out here. There’s a number of pubs in the village for a post walk refreshment, should you wish to partake: The Phesant looks over Brill Windmill and is a pretty great spot to bag an outdoor seat if you want to catch the sunset. Enjoy!
💴 Free
❌ Not wheelchair or pushchair accessible beyond the windmill due to terrain
🐕 Dogs welcome, keep on short lead in fields with grazing animals
🚾 No public toilets
🚶🏽♀️See information and map on Jubilee Way/ Brill Circular walk here
🥾 Wear boots or wellies for walk if it has been raining
🅿️ Free parking in car park
🚘 15 minutes from Headington roundabout
🗺 South Hills, Brill, Aylesbury HP18 9TQ
