Doing ‘The Windmill’ walk

We’re very lucky on the Hoo Peninsula to have so many good, and sometimes quite dramatic, walking routes. However, a popular walk for many people living in Hoo is what I call the ‘triangular walk’ around the village.

This includes Bells Lane, the old Ratcliffe Highway and Main Road. I’ve met a good many locals whilst out enjoying the fresh air and views.

Conveniently, The Windmill pub is on the old Ratcliffe Highway and marks the half way point of the walk.

Just along from the pub, in the direction of Chattenden, is the now rather dilapidated Mill House - believed to have been built in 1799 and, according to Philip Macdougall’s book about the Hoo Peninsula, the home for many years to the Ballard family, who were a local farming family.

I like this building a lot, and only wish that I could win the lottery to pay for its renovation, before it collapses!

Depending on how fast you walk, I’d say this walk takes about an hour to complete - that’s without stopping at The Windmill for a swift pint!

  

The Story of the Hoo Peninsula, Philip MacDougall

I have finally managed to get a copy of Philip MacDougall's book 'The Story of the Hoo Peninsula', which was published in 1979.  I have been trying to buy this book for quite a while, so I am pleased to have my own copy at long last!  This book is said to be the 'first complete historical account ever written about the entire Hoo Peninsula', so I look forward to reading every page in the coming days and, hopefully, to learn more interesting facts about our local history.

Philip MacDougall has written many books.  To find out more about these publications, visit his website.