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The windmill from ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ is now on the market

Cobstone Windmill in Buckinghamshire is on sale for £9m

At some point we’ve all fantasised about what it would be like to actually live in a windmill. Icons of the British countryside, nothing says quaint and charming quite like these huge silos with their massive, graceful sails. If you happen to have £9 million lying around, well, fantasise no more. A grand windmill in Ibstone, Buckinghamshire, is now on the market. 

But this isn’t any old windmill. Oh no. Called Cobstone Windmill, it also had a starring role the 1967 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang . It was the fictional home of Dick van Dyke’s eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts and his two children. It’s literally a film star windmill. 

The property’s star credentials go further, too. The Cobstone Windmill also overlooks  the picture-perfect village of Turville, which was used in the Vicar of Dibley. 

Built in 1816, the windmill was used to grind cereal for 60 years. Its exterior was later cosmetically restored for its role in  Chitty Chitty Bang Bang , though it underwent more restoration work when actress Hayley Mills and her husband Roy Boulting bought it in 1971. 

Spreads across 36.7 acres of land, the property includes a luxurious four-bedroom house alongside the iconic windmill. Inside that house is  a vaulted drawing room with floor to ceiling windows that look onto the outdoor heated swimming pool. The Grade II-listed mill has two additional bedrooms and a reception room, while there’s a stretch of outbuildings which include a tractor barn, a stable building and a workshop. 

Here are a few more pics of the place. 

Stephen Christie-Miller, head of Savills Henley, said: ‘From the beautiful architecture of the windmill to the spectacular views down the Hambleden Valley, Cobstone Mill has to be seen to be believed and this is even before you bring into consideration the home's extensive film history. Yes, some homes claim to be iconic, however nothing comes close to Cobstone Mill.’

You can check out the listing on Rightmove here . Flying car, sadly, not included. 

Did you see that   the birthplace of the Brontë sisters could soon be opening to the public ?

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Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Windmill

Chitty chitty bang bang windmill ordnance survey map - view and print off detailed os map, chitty chitty bang bang windmill open street map - view and print off detailed map, chitty chitty bang bang windmill os map - mobile gps os map with location tracking, chitty chitty bang bang windmill open street map - mobile gps map with location tracking.

There's two fine pubs on the route where you can stop off for some refreshments. Back in Turville there's the Bull and Butcher . They are known for their excellent homemade pies and a splendid large garden area for the summer months. You can find them at a postcode of RG9 6QU for your sat navs. In Fingest there's The Chequers to consider. The pub is in a lovely location just opposite the picturesque church. It's set in an attractive 18th century brick and flint building�with a splendid 2 acre garden outside. The pub is also notable for featuring in the 2014 George Clooney film 'Monuments Men' set during World War II. At the time the village was transformed into a Normandy-like appearance. You may also recognise the pub and village from episodes of the popualar Midsomer Murders series on ITV. You can easily find them in the heart of the village at a postcode of RG96QD for your sat navs. Both pubs are dog friendly if you have your canine friend with you.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Just to the north is the village of Ibstone where you can enjoy a walk along the boundary of the Wormsley Estate. The 16th century estate is well known for its cricket ground and is also a good place to look out for red kites.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Cobstone Windmill, Ibstone, Buckinghamshire. This late 18th century�smock mill�(now converted into a house) is a grade II�listed building�in England.

The windmill and old school, Turville. The school is now a nursery. The mill, Cobstone Mill, is within the parish of Ibstone but directly overlooks Turville.

Into Mill Hanging Wood. A footpath heads into the wood from the Ibstome to Fingest road, opposite Cobstone Mill.

Grazing on Cobstone Hill Sheep finding something to eat on the top of grassy Cobstone Hill.

View of Fingest Village. Turville Hill and Windmill is above and beyond the village. This view can be seen at the beginning of the Agatha Christie's Marple (TV series) episode "Endless Night" (2013). �The church in view is the noteowrthy St Bartholomew's. The nave and tower are 12th century with the saddleback roof added to the tower in the 18th or early 19th century. The roof is notable as being one of only two such designs in England. The chancel was added in the 13th century.

A view of the village of Turville. The windmill on the hill overlooking Turville in the east of the square. The name 'Turville' is�Anglo-Saxon�in origin and means 'dry field'. The pretty village has been used as a filming location for many tv dramas including Midsomer Murders,�Lewis,�Marple, Foyle's War and the 2008 Christmas special of�Jonathan Creek.�It was also used in the Dawn French sitcom�The Vicar of Dibley. In the series, the church of�St Mary the Virgin�was renamed "St Barnabus". The village church is well worth some investigation as it dates back to the 12th century with the�nave being the oldest surviving part.

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Savills news, iconic windmill from ‘chitty chitty bang bang’ launches to market, contacts & related articles.

The property is internationally renowned for being the location for the filming of the much-loved 1968 musical-fantasy, Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang, which starred Dick Van Dyke and Sally Ann Howes. In addition, the film was produced by Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli - one of the 20 th Century’s biggest film icons.

Launching to the market with a guide price of £9m, Cobstone Mill is situated overlooking the village of Turville (Vicar of Dibley location) in Buckinghamshire and is thought to have been originally built around 1816 as a smock mill, which reportedly ground cereal until 1873. In 1967 film producer Cubby Broccoli’s team searched the English countryside for a picturesque windmill to become the exterior location for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

After an extensive search, Cobstone Mill was chosen and Broccoli’s team cosmetically restored the windmill’s exterior for filming. It is believed that Broccoli moved the team that had just wrapped filming on Bond film ‘You Only Live Twice’ straight to Turville to start work on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

After the film became a major hit, actress Hayley Mills and her film director husband, Roy Boulting, bought the mill at auction in 1971 and then undertook a major restoration project. It was then owned by others including David Brown of Aston Martin who sold Cobstone Mill in the 1980’s to the current owner. Cobstone Mill has also featured in many other well-known films and television series.

Today, the pretty brick and flint main house features a grand double-height drawing room with floor to ceiling doors that open on to a large terrace overlooking the sheltered swimming pool. Meanwhile, the Grade II listed windmill itself had the sails restored fully by the current owner in the last 18 months. Internally, the original mill workings are a key feature, with a winding staircase leading from the ground floor reception room to bedrooms on the first and second floors. The views from Cobstone Mill are unparalleled, taking in the full splendour of the Hambleden Valley, stretching away to the south and east. Many would argue that the home’s unique position is one of the most special countryside locations within 50 miles of central London.

Stephen Christie-Miller, head of Savills Henley, comments: “From the moment you arrive at Cobstone Mill it becomes immediately clear how special this property is and for many it will be instantly recognisable. From the beautiful architecture of the windmill to the spectacular views down the Hambleden Valley, Cobstone Mill has to be seen to be believed and this is even before you bring into consideration the home’s extensive film history. I am sure that the homes unique heritage combined with today’s offering, in a prime Buckinghamshire location, will appeal to both domestic and international buyers that are looking for the best of the best. Yes some homes claim to be iconic, however nothing comes close to Cobstone Mill.”

Nicholas Brown, Private View Property, comments: "I am very fortunate to have acted in the sale and purchase of a great many of the finest homes over the course of 40 years. However, I can safely say that Cobstone Mill is perhaps the very best known of them all. It is a true landmark and the setting and views are without doubt breath-taking. To be able to market this iconic property is a huge privilege and for the next lucky owners, imagine inviting your friends to come and stay at the best known windmill in the world.”

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Think Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - Cobstone Windmill

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Beautiful windmill in the quintessential English town of Turville. The carrot capital of the UK... read more

The Windmill is actually in private property. The very best views are from the field on the other... read more

Think Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Memories come flooding back as you visit this lovely place. On a blue sky day, you can see/visualise/imagine scenes from the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang or Vicar of Dibley :)

Lovely place to walk and watch the world go by. The walk is steep but well worth it. It has an amazing view from the top.

The Windmill sits up on top of a fairly steep hill. You can walk up to it. This was the Windmill from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and hence it's claim to fame.

We went to Turville as we had discovered the Vicar of Dibley was filmed there and the windmill was in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - was great to see the windmill up on the hill above the rooftops - we didn't climb the hill to see it closer, but many people were doing this - looks amazing, combine the trip with a tour of Turville and you have a great hour ahead of you - be sure to have your camera on you

Turville is the home of the Vicar of Dibley. Cobstone Mill was built in 1816 and is up on the hill overlooking the village of Turville. It is sometimes referred to as Turville Windmill and is featured in the film Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang! We visited the village of Turville and parked easily for free in the main street by the Church. You can walk up a public footpath to the windmill (however it is fenced off as it is privately owned.) The best views of the windmill are from the bottom, however there is a nice view of the village from the top of the hill. * Be warned the hill is steep at the top and was tricky to climb back down.

The iconic windmill from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is for sale for £9 million

By House & Garden

Dick Van Dyke with the eponymous car next to Cobstone Mill

Few film houses can be as instantly recognisable as Cobstone Mill in Buckinghamshire, its pretty black and white exterior standing out against the green countryside of the Chiltern Hills. Made famous by its appearance in the 1968 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in 1968, where it served as the abode of the eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts (Dick Van Dyke), the windmill has also featured in Midsomer Murders , Bride & Prejudice and Jonathan Creek , among other films and TV shows. Now, for the first time in 35 years, the windmill (along with the house it's attached to) is for sale, and we have to say, it's a pretty desirable place to live.

Following its star turn in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang , the windmill was bought by the actress Hayley Mills and her husband, the film director Roy Boulting, in 1971. Its next owner was David Brown, the owner of Aston Martin, but when it was bought again in 1986, it remained with that family until the present day. The early 19th-century mill has been lucky in its recent history; it was restored by the legendary producer Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli for the film, after having been out of use for almost 100 years and occupied by squatters. Now Grade-II listed, it has been beautifully maintained by its current owners.

A bedroom in the mill

The mill is attached to a more conventional house, which is home to some lovely spaces, including a generous, airy sitting room and three bedrooms. A swimming pool and sun terrace can be found immediately outside the house. The mill itself has three storeys and contains a living room and two bedrooms, making it ideal for a holiday let (although the present owners have reportedly kept it to themselves). In addition to the mill, the property also features a barn and garage, so there's plenty of room to spread out.

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The property is listed with Savills, who are understandably enthusiastic about it. "Cobstone Mill has to be seen to be believed — and this is even before you bring into consideration the home’s extensive film history,” says Stephen Christie-Miller of Savills Henley. “Yes, some homes claim to be iconic, however nothing comes close to Cobstone Mill.” If the mill itself doesn't have quite enough star power, the property is very close to the village of Turville, where The Vicar of Dibley was filmed. The area is highly picturesque, but also rather convenient; trains can whisk you into London in around half an hour from nearby High Wycombe. The mill would make the perfect weekend retreat for a lucky owner.

See the listing at savills.com

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Turville - The beautiful Buckinghamshire village where they filmed the Vicar of Dibley

It's well worth a visit! (Although you'll have to wait until lockdown is lifted)

• 05:00, 16 JAN 2021
• Updated 17:35, 16 JAN 2021

Turville has appeared in the background of some fantastic films and television series including The Vicar of Dibley, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Killing Eve.

However, the picturesque village deserves to take centre stage with its quaint windmill, famous church and a classic countryside pub.

Turville is in the Chiltern Hills, surrounded by beautiful countryside and many trails to walk.

It is just a 20-minute drive from High Wycombe.

While Covid-19 restrictions mean we currently need to stay home, once we can travel further afield Turville should definitely be on your list to visit.

The history of Turville

In the past Turville was referred to as Thyrefeld, which the Oxford Dictionary of British Place-Names Turville is interpreted as two Anglo-Saxon words, thyre and feld, meaning dry open field.

The village went through a number of name changes before landing on Turville in 1826.

The exact date the parish church of St Mary the Virgin was built is unclear but it was likely in the 12th century.

Turville Church was given to St Albans Abbey and a vicarage had been ordained before 1218.

Over the centuries various parts of the church have been rebuilt and only the nave remains from the original building.

The church also has another interesting purpose and is the setting for the St Barnabas church in BBC sitcom The Vicar of Dibley.

However, that isn't even one of the most interesting things about the village.

The most fascinating story has to be about 11-year-old Ellen Sadler.

It is said that in 1871 she went to bed as usual but slept for nearly ten years.

At the time, The Times called this “one of the most astounding, inexplicable, physiological phenomena ever known”.

Rumours in the village suggested that the future King Edward VII visited her and gave her the ‘laying on of hands’ which people believed would cure her.

Sadler was used by her mother, Ann Frewen, as a tourist attraction for the village and locals became increasingly sceptical that this was just a scam.

In May 1880 her mother died and 5 months later she awoke, early ten years after falling asleep.

And to this day no-one knows for certain the truth behind it.

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What is there to do in Turville?

There is definitely enough to do in and around Turville to head there for a day out.

Cobstone Mill is just out of the main village but it’s worth a walk up to the spot.

Most famously the Mill appeared in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, however, it was also shown in Goodnight Mister Tom and Jonathan Creek.

It’s a bit of a steep walk up to the spot but once you’re there you’ll be treated with beautiful views out across the Hambledon Valley.

It is also worth stopping at Turville’s only pub The Bull & Butcher.

It’s a classic village pub with a timbered front, original beams inside and large open fires.

There is also a large sunny garden to relax in on a summer’ day.

Expect a whole range of dishes, including pub classics, speciality pies and a good range of vegetarian food.

There are plenty of walks in the local area which you could do after lunch.

If you’re keen to explore some more of the pubs you could do the 3.5 mile loop which takes you through Skirmett and The Frog Inn and then to The Chequers Inn at Fingest.

Once back in Turville you could stop off at the unique Barn Cafe for a coffee.

But beware, the cafe is car-free to keep things quiet, so you won’t be able to drive right up to it.

The cafe is close to Lord Sainsbury’s Turville Manor who has owned the property and surrounding park since 1996.

It was historically held by the Abbey of St Albans until the Dissolution in 1539 when it was the Manor was divided into six parts.

And finally, you couldn’t visit Turville without going to see St Mary the Virgin Church.

Just off the main road at the top of the village, it is quiet and peaceful inside and out.

So while we can’t head out yet, make sure you add Turville to your list of villages to visit when we can.

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Saturday, March 10, 2018

Hayley mills & the chitty chitty bang bang windmill.

11 comments:

Interesting. £30,000 seems expensive for a disused windmill 50 years ago. Maybe that house was included. Turville was the location for "Bramley End" in the excellent Ealing film Went the Day Well? (1942). There are a lot of film locations in Buckinghamshire, as you might expect, given the proximity to Pinewood.

I think a cottage was included with the mill, but it didn't look anything like the one from Chitty. I'm not sure, but that may have been a "front" built around the actual cottage. It would be interesting to find location photos during the making of the film. And yes, Buckinghamshire was a great place for filming. There is a little church in Hambleden that seems to have appeared in hundreds of English movies. But then again, so many churches look alike!

They may only have recouped their costs, but I hope there was some satisfaction in restoring the historical building.

I'm sure Hayley is probably looking back on those years now with fondness, but maybe at the time it seemed more of a headache than it was worth!

The windmill is probably my favorite part of CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG. I had no idea it was owned by Hayley Mills and her husband! Given the restoration costs, I guess I won't be buying a windmill any time soon.

Converted to today's money, that 30,000 pound purchase cost would be over $500,000. That's a tidy sum for a run-down windmill...but it sure is picturesque. :-)

Awww, how cool! Windmills are amazing. But I've never had a yen to own one, I must admit.

...And with their market prices, that's a good thing!

Wow! I did not know that! Thanks for the info!

my grandmother owned the mill in the 1960s, and sold it to Hayley Mills. Somewhere we have super 8 footage of her and Boulting coming to see it

How fascinating! That footage would be worth uploading on Youtube, I'm sure a number of Hayley Mills fans ( and Chitty fans ) would love to see it.

Cobstone Windmill

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

COBSTONE WINDMILL: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)