After months of research (and far too many flour-related puns), we're delighted to announce that the Mill Index blog is now open for business. Unlike the mills we document, you won't need to wait for the wind to pick up or the river to rise - just scroll down and let's get things moving.

We've spent countless hours cataloguing windmills, watermills, and everything in between. We've debated the finer points of smock mills versus tower mills, marvelled at the ingenuity of medieval engineers, and developed a deep appreciation for anyone who can keep a set of millstones properly dressed. Now we're ready to share our findings.

Why Mills?

Mills are among humanity's oldest and most ingenious machines. Long before steam engines and electric motors, people harnessed the power of wind and water to grind grain, press oil, saw timber, and drain entire countries (looking at you, Netherlands). These structures represent centuries of engineering innovation and craftsmanship.

But mills are more than just machines. They're landmarks that shaped communities, powered economies, and created the landscapes we see today. Each mill tells a story of the people who built it, the millers who worked it, and the communities it served - often for hundreds of years.

What's on the Horizon

In the coming months, expect to find:

• Mill deep-dives - exploring everything from Dutch windmills pumping polders to ancient watermills still grinding grain
• Technical explainers - finally understand the difference between a post mill and a smock mill, or why overshot wheels are more efficient
• Travel guides - helping you plan your mill-hopping adventures (comfortable shoes still recommended)
• Preservation stories - celebrating the volunteers and organisations keeping these magnificent machines alive
• Working mill features - mills that still produce flour, oil, and other products the traditional way

A Grain of History

Whether you're a milling enthusiast who can identify a cap winder from a hundred metres, or someone who simply appreciates the sight of sails turning against the sky, you've found your people.

The history of mills is the history of human ingenuity - of people looking at wind and water and thinking "I can put that to work." From the first horizontal water wheels of ancient times to the sophisticated tower mills of the industrial age, these structures represent an unbroken chain of innovation and adaptation.

So pull up a sack of grain (metaphorically speaking), settle in, and make yourself at home. The wind is fair, the water's flowing, and we're glad you've arrived.

May your sails always catch the wind,
The Mill Index Team