Historic Bidston Windmill placed on heritage at-risk list

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 12:32 · Archive

Bidston Windmill, an 18th-century Grade II listed landmark on Wirral, has been added to Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register.

Bidston Windmill on Wirral has been placed on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register 2026, one of ten sites newly added to the register in the North West. The Grade II listed structure dates from the late 18th century and was previously restored in the late 19th century and again in the 1970s.

The windmill was acquired by the Corporation of Birkenhead in 1909 for public enjoyment and remains a landmark offering panoramic views towards the Welsh mountains and Liverpool. Despite the need for critical repairs, it continues to be used for guided tours by the Friends of Bidston Hill.

Chris Langton, chair of the Friends group, said the windmill requires urgent and extensive work. 'Several hundreds of thousands of pounds' would likely be needed, he explained, particularly for repairs to the wooden roof. He added: 'We've had quite a lot of pigeons get in there, and that's caused a lot of damage. There's a lot of wet getting inside, which is keeping the walls damp.'

Being included on the Heritage at Risk Register makes the windmill eligible for more funding opportunities. Langton described being on the list as having potential positives for securing restoration funding. However, he also said he was 'deeply concerned' that one of Birkenhead's 'most recognisable and historically important landmarks' had reached the point of being placed on the at-risk register.

Wirral Council said it was committed to restoring 'an important part of the borough's heritage and a valued landmark'. Councillor Jerry Williams, Wirral's heritage champion, called the windmill 'a really key building on the Wirral'. The Friends Group has continued to run guided tours, though volunteer numbers have not fully recovered since the pandemic.

How it is being reported

• Bidston Windmill added to at-risk heritage listThe 18th century Grade II listed Bidston Windmill in Wirral is said to require urgent repairs.BBC Merseyside · 5 Nov, 12:03
• Wirral landmark added to Heritage at Risk Register as urgent repairs are neededAN 18th-century Wirral windmill has been placed on the Heritage at Risk Register, with urgent repairs now needed to secure its future.Wirral Globe · 5 Nov, 05:00
• Historic Wirral landmark 'at risk' as urgent works needed'Extensive work' is needed on the iconic landmarkLiverpool Echo · 5 Nov, 00:01

In this story: Bidston Windmill · Wirral · Historic England · Chris Langton · Friends of Bidston Hill · Wirral Council

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