A more than 200-year-old Grade II* windmill has re-opened to the public after an eight-year restoration project.

Since 2015, Upminster Windmill in St Mary’s Lane has undergone work to restore it to full working order.

It re-opened on Thursday (September 14) alongside a brand new visitor centre.

Volunteers from Friends of Upminster Windmill helped to complete the internal machinery, build a community garden and research the history and archaeology of the site.

The project was delivered by the charity alongside Havering Council, with funding contributions from National Lottery Heritage Fund, Veolia Environmental Trust and Veolia Havering Riverside Maintenance Trust.

Specialist and structural work to the windmill, which was built in 1803, was completed by the Dutch millwright, Willem Dijkstra. 

Justin Coombs, Trustee of the Friends of Upminster Windmill, said: “We’re thrilled to be welcoming visitors back to the windmill.

“The restoration is truly stunning, and combined with the new onsite visitor and education centre we are able to offer a much broader experience to both the public and the many education and youth groups that visit. 

“We are hugely grateful to our hundred plus team of volunteers who have delivered so much of the project, alongside the skilled millwrighting professionals.”

An open weekend is set to take place next weekend (September 23 to September 24), with further open days planned for October.