Millwrighting started as soon as humans started to build machines, probably pre-Roman, but developed as the machines and materials did.
Millwrighting as we understand it today dates back to the Middle Ages when skilled craftsmen were essential in constructing and maintaining the water and windmills that powered the country’s agricultural and industrial activities. Early millwrights were highly regarded for their ability to design, build, and maintain the complex systems of gears, shafts, and wheels that turned mills into efficient powerhouses. Mills were critical for grinding grain, sawing timber, and even draining water from marshes, and millwrights played a pivotal role in ensuring these operations ran smoothly. Their work required a combination of mechanical knowledge, carpentry, and an understanding of water flow and wind dynamics, making them some of the most technically skilled tradesmen of their time.
The Industrial Revolution brought significant changes to the profession. As the UK transitioned from agrarian to industrial economies in the 18th and 19th centuries, millwrighting evolved to incorporate new technologies and materials. Iron and steel began replacing wood in the construction of machinery, and steam engines gradually supplemented or replaced traditional power sources like wind and water. Millwrights adapted by learning new skills such as metalworking and precision machining, becoming instrumental in constructing and maintaining the machinery that powered factories, textile mills, and mines. Over time, the role of the millwright expanded to include the installation and maintenance of industrial machinery, and the trade became closely associated with engineering disciplines. Despite these changes, the craft’s historical roots in ingenuity and problem-solving remain integral to the modern identity of millwrighting in the UK.
Millwrights need a wide range of skills and understanding of building techniques and materials. They may carry out the activities themselves, or they may work alongside other skilled contractors (see list of subcrafts)
Regional differences are important and must be kept. There are variations throughout the country with the type of building, sails, & caps of windmills.
An understanding and/or basic competence in the following sub crafts are part of millwrighting:
Whilst there are no specific degrees or qualifications in Millwrighting, there are specialised courses available at various levels including Higher National certificates and diplomas, Foundation Degrees and Masters (MSc) Degrees. The Building Crafts College offer a range of apprenticeships and vocational qualifications in heritage construction. Millwrights may be trained in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, TImber Framing and other allied skills.
Masters Degree courses are available throughout the UK. For example, The University of Bath offers a Conservation of Historic Buildings Msc. For direct entry you’ll need to have already achieved a degree in a relevant subject or have completed a foundation degree.
There is a list of accredited courses available via the Institute for Historic Buildings Conservation website.
Apprenticeships – There are no apprenticeships specifically in Millwrighting. A Level 5 Apprenticeship ‘Heritage Construction Specialist’ is currently being developed by the Historic Environment Trailblazer group.
On the job training: Millwrighting companies will usually take on a train their own employees. There is some support available to take on and train new entrants.
Traditional Building Skills Bursaries and Scholarships:
Further information on training and education:
SPAB maintains a Millwright Directory of their mills section members
Individuals:
Businesses:
Other groupings involving skilled millwrights:
SPAB suggest that at least 20 millwrights need to be trained over the next 5 to 10 years as this is an intense apprenticeship which would take several years to learn all the various skills. Ideally 3 or 4 a year for the foreseeable future would cover this, allowing for some to drop out.
In England there is some provision for funding of major wind and water mill restorations – with central funds from Historic England or, for very big schemes, Lottery funds. However, there is little realistic provision for funding the on-going maintenance of mills in the UK between major overhauls.
Many mills rely on skilled volunteer millwrights, often professional engineers and the like, to carry out major repair and also running repairs. Wicken Windmill was restored from a ruinous state in this way. Volunteer millwrights and millers continue the maintenance of the mill, with materials funded by sales of flour and donations.
There is an agreed need for on-going support and encouragement of the endangered craft of the professional millwright.
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