The Old Windmill – Coventry’s Living Pub Since 1451

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The heritage-rich stretch of Spon Street in Coventry holds many architectural gems, but among them, The Old Windmill stands out as both Coventry’s oldest surviving pub and a functioning 15th-century building that has retained its historic charm. With a history stretching back to 1451, this timber-framed public house at 22 Spon Street is more than just a place for ale—it is a living piece of Coventry’s medieval past.



A Pub with Six Centuries of Legacy

The earliest records date the Old Windmill back to the mid-15th century. Until the 1800s, the structure was divided into two separate premises. One half served as a shop selling assorted goods, while the other half operated as a public house.

It wasn’t until the early 1980s that the structure was unified into a single space, expanding the pub to occupy the full ground floor. This transformation marked the evolution of the Old Windmill into the layout that survives today.

The building housed its own on-site brewery until 1930, and remarkably, the original brewhouse still survives at the rear of the structure. During a major renovation in 1985, a Victorian fireplace was removed to reveal a 15th-century open stone hearth, preserving a tangible link to its medieval past.

Inside, the pub continues to exude historical character with exposed timber beams, low ceilings, and small cozy rooms that offer an intimate and warm atmosphere. The structure even contains a priest hole, a secret feature commonly found in 16th-century Catholic homes during the Reformation era.

Architectural Features

The Old Windmill’s façade is instantly recognizable for its modest yet iconic look. The building’s timber frame construction is typical of the late medieval period, though parts of the external timber are now concealed beneath painted plasterwork, giving the appearance of a rendered Tudor-style frontage.

The roof is steeply pitched and covered in traditional slate tiles, with an irregular silhouette that hints at the building’s age and organic expansion over centuries. The chimney stacks, including a tall redbrick one, rise prominently above the sloped roof, providing both visual interest and functional purpose.

The pub’s ground-floor frontage features timber window frames and projecting signage, with outdoor seating inviting modern patrons to pause and appreciate its legacy. Notably, the interior still retains many original features—low timber ceilings, small hearths, and wood-paneled walls that transport visitors back in time.

Next door to the Green Dragon, the Old Windmill complements its historic neighbor, together representing two of Coventry’s oldest licensed premises, both now cherished parts of the city’s architectural and social fabric.

Happy travelling.

A few other heritage structures of Spon Street

Location: Spon St, Coventry CV1, UK

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