About Us

Here is just a little info to let you get to know us better...

History

Here is a little potted history of our pub and the local area... if you have a spare minute or two and maybe a cup of tea (or is that a G&T), we think it's well worth a read.

South Hanningfield

A map from 1884 showing the
Old Windmill Inn, well away from
the future site of the resevoir

At the time of the First World War the village consisted of the school, the Windmill public house, the post office and general store, the blacksmith's forge and the parish church of St Peter. 'Bearmains', the big house, was lived in by Mr and Mrs Gray, employing many servants and gardeners and there was a scattering of cottages mainly occupied by the farmers and their families.

The post office and general stores were run by the Clarence family. You could always purchase lovely hand-cut bacon and cheese, and all perishable goods were kept in a back room with a brick floor, slate shelves and no heat. The blacksmith's forge was run by the two Smith brothers who were kept busy with the farm horses. When anyone wanted the doctor to call from Wickford, a white flag was placed on the smithy's wall and the doctor on his motor-bike used to call there to see where he was wanted (there were no phones in the village until the 1930s).

Old Windmill

The Old Windmill in 1890

The Old Windmill was built in 1702, and has been a public house at least from 1799, when records show that Joshua Appleton, Licensed Victualler, held the lease for 14 years.

From 1848, William Hunt, described in a census as a Licensed Victualler and Farmer, had the pub. His family took the Windmill on after him and ran it until at least 1933. It is described at that time as a small country pub with a tap room, the floor of which was covered in sawdust, and was run by Tom Hunt and his sister Peg, together with a housekeeper Mrs Aspin. All three by all accounts were very deaf, but managed to keep the locals happy, especially in wintertime with a large fire in the tap room which had seats built in the side of the fireplace.

Since then, the pub has seen a few changes, and legend had it that the pub was demolished in 1954 and rebuilt in a different location to facilitate the building of Hanningfield reservoir. However, the 1884 Ordnance Survey Map below clearly shows the Old Windmill Inn in its current location, well away from the waters of the new reservoir.

It has since undergone much extension work, but the old charm of the building remains.

If you'd like to put a name to a face, allow us to introduce you to the crew...

Front of house

Nick

Manager

Nick started working the tables at a hotel in Ruthin, North Wales back in the day at the tender age of 16. A graduate in hotel and catering management at Bournemouth University. Nick has worked in City bars and restaurants and joined us in 2017 at the Two Brewers before moving to Old Windmill a couple of years later.

Currently, Nick can be seen chit chatting around the pub with customers talking about his beloved Liverpool FC and his love of cricket. A family man who loves a good night out with his friend Stella, a really really hot curry and a brewery tour, ideally all in the same night !

Alex

Deputy Manager

Alex has been with us since 2020, having previously worked for the company in Surrey. You can usually see him anywhere and everywhere around the pub, and being careful not to knock his head on the ceiling!

In his own time, he enjoys hiking, reading, and playing complicated death metal solos - as you do.

Louise

Assistant manager

Louise originally worked at the Old Windmill at the young age of 16, working at the weekends, to then return in 2020 as a waitress working her way up to supervisor, and now Assistant Manager.

You will normally find her behind the bar or chatting away to all the customers.

If Louise is not working she is off to watch her son playing football or running around after her two daughters, a real family girl looking to get the best out of life, but also loves a gin or two!

Rachel

Assistant Manager

Rachel has worked in the hospitality industry for 15 years, and knows how to pitch a good sale when it comes to wine. When not working at the pub she is usually running around after her partner, two children and dog. Rachel thoroughly enjoys leading the pub dog walks and can always be found having a chat with the regulars whilst maintaining the smooth running of the pub.

Angela

Bar/Waiting

Angela has a degree in Tourism Management and Hospitality so she has a good grounding in the industry. When she's not at the Old Windmill, she is working hard to get a license in dog grooming. An ardent Chelsea fan, she can also be found at the odd beer festival or two.

Becky

Bar/Waiting

Becks has been with us since 2019. She's always happy serving our customers.
Her barista skills are second to none, keeping customers and the rest of the crew full of energy. She's also the pub's designated 'flower girl', making the pub look a beautiful place to visit.

When not at work she enjoys spending time with her husband and children, playing bingo and crocheting with her daughter - she also never turns down a pink gin or two!

Maintenance

Mark

Gardener/Maintenance Person

Mark is the Windmills gardener and handyman AKA Mr Fix-It. You will always spot him in the garden cutting hedges and the grass. No job is too big or too small for Mark and it's always done with a happy tune and a smile.

Mark joined the Old Windmill crew in 2023

Front of house Maintenance