London Open House weekend is an annual event which normally comes and goes before I notice it. This year however, I was determined to visit one of the 500 or so buildings that have been opened to the public for the two days.

My first instinct was to make a bee line for the Swiss Re Tower, London's newest skyscraper. The panoramic view of the city from the observation deck must be very spectacular. But then I discovered that a building much closer to home was on the list and I'd always wanted to have a closer look.

A few miles from our house is an old windmill. It stands at the highest point in Upminster and is an impressive sight standing in it's own field.

The windmill was built in 1803 and was in use until 1934. It fell into disrepair but has been restored in recent years and is now a grade 2 listed building.

We went on a guided tour and I was surprised to see how much goes on inside, it's really like a miniature factory. Our guide was very knowledgeable and was deeply involved in the restoration. He showed us how the many components of the mill worked and explained how the mechanics were self regulating. It's really quite ingenious but there is nothing subtle about it. All the moving parts are big, mostly wooden and roughly crafted - you wouldn't want to get your fingers caught in any of it.

There were four floors and 54 steep steps from bottom to top. The last miller lived to the age of 95. Not bad considering he had to climb those steps an average of 30 times a day for 63 years.

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