Blog 57 Greendale Farm, Whissendine, Rutland Water, twin motorhome fun and Mr. Moon and his flour mill
- Keef Hellinger
- Nov 14, 2021
- 3 min read
By keef & annie, Jun 14 2013 07:49AM Whissendine Rutland
Rutland Water, Rutland
A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog Motorhome trip No9 : June 3rd – June 6th 2013 NOTTS->GREENDALE FARM SITE, WHISSENDINE, RUTLAND->NOTTS 110 miles
Whissendine Rutland - Discover Greendale Farm near Whissendine — a peaceful Rutland retreat where motorhome life meets countryside calm. This blog captures lazy mornings, friendly chats, and the joy of finding a pitch that feels just right. Expect scenic drives to Rutland Water, local quirks, and a few laughs along the way. It’s the kind of trip that reminds you why wheels, views, and a good cuppa make the perfect combo. A tranquil site, ok apart from us ;) We went away with Brian & Gina, Annie’s brother, for a few days to the lovely Rutland Water area. The weather forecast was fine and we did get 2 days of very good weather. Brian & Gina were travelling back down from Leeds having had their vans hab check. An essential each year for all motorhomers! We visited the wonderful working Whissendine windmill where Nigel Moon the miller and his 90+ year old mum still produce flour. We even bought some, well worth a visit. We also spent a very sunny afternoon wandering through Oakham, a lovely town with buttercross and castle, plus a whole stack of churches and then onto the fabulous Barnsdale gardens , owned by Geoff Hamilton of BBC’s Gardeners world fame, so sad that he passed away so early but his legacy of gardens is well worth a visit. In late eve we went and had a stroll around Hambleton village in the middle (-ish) of Rutland water. Meeting the local trout fly fisherman on route. Rutland water is especially good for picnics assuming you don’t mind sharing your lunch with the ducks, they are mighty persistent *smile* oh and they now have public Barbie stands to use. We also visited the lovely town of Stamford, Britain’s best stone town (claim and to be believed) , take a stroll around its many churches and along the river welland but don’t forget Barn Hill where Charles 1’s spent his last night as a free man…. Hey my neck is really itchy! Greendale farm site has some lovely views and is small and compact with sadly only one loo / sink and shower for the 11 pitches. The pool despite the advertising was never open and the weather for a change was good enough oh and the camp site owners are a little too intrusive and rule conscious for our liking. We will not return! It was part of the “tranquil site” mag and it was mostly that so we will try some other ones. Thanks again to Brian & Gina for a lovely few days. We loved the area so will be back again soon, we hope. Anyone else been there and want to share their views on the campsite or the area? Note: The Index shows ALL blogs already published or you can find Blogs about a specific subject by clicking on a word in the TAG CLOUD, thanks, motorhome-travels.
Whissendine Windmill History
For more than four decades, Nigel Moon has been the steady heartbeat of Whissendine Windmill, the proud 1809 tower mill that rises above the Rutland countryside. When he first took on the mill in the late 20th century, it was tired, weathered, and in need of someone stubborn enough — and passionate enough — to bring it back to life. Nigel became exactly that person. Through years of restoration, careful engineering, and a deep respect for traditional craft, he returned the mill to full working order, making it one of the few fully operational windmills left in the East Midlands.
Nigel is known locally not just as a miller, but as a storyteller. Visitors often recall the way he explains the machinery with a mix of pride and gentle humour, as if the mill itself were an old friend with quirks worth celebrating. His stone‑ground flour, produced using the same methods millers relied on centuries ago, is sold across the region and has become a quiet symbol of Rutland heritage.
His mother, who once supported the mill’s community side, appears less in recent public records, and her current status isn’t widely documented. Nigel, however, remains very much active, tending the sails, maintaining the machinery, and keeping the tradition alive in a world that moves faster than the turning of a millstone.
Whissendine Windmill stands today because one man refused to let history fall silent — and Nigel Moon continues to ensure its sails keep speaking.
80 pictures in the SLIDESHOW
we visited Mr Moon Flour Grader and his Mum , both legends, in their Windmill
