The Windmill, Mill Street, Scarborough, North Yorkshire

A truly rare opportunity to acquire Scarborough’s only surviving windmill — a striking Grade II listed landmark dating back to 1784 and now home to a profitable and highly distinctive hospitality business. Set within a peaceful private courtyard just moments from the seafront, town centre and rail station, The Windmill offers a unique blend of heritage charm and strong commercial performance. The business benefits from excellent accounts to support the sale, with profitability increasing year on year. Beautifully restored and sympathetically upgraded by the current owner, the property presents an exceptional lifestyle or investment purchase with huge scope to increase income further.

The accommodation is arranged around an attractive cobbled courtyard and includes two luxury suites within the windmill tower — including the famous Balcony Suite with 360-degree panoramic views — along with two self-contained holiday cottages and four additional en-suite guest rooms. There is also extensive owners’ accommodation which could be reconfigured for additional letting income, a welcoming reception room, 26-cover dining room and a fully equipped commercial kitchen. Major works and improvements include bespoke gates, railings and stairs, replacement timber windows, re-roofing and insulating of the dining room, upgraded heating systems, fixtures and fittings, repointing of the windmill base, a modern 9-camera CCTV system, and comprehensive improvements to ceilings and insulation. In addition, the property includes a valuable building plot ( under separate negotiation )with potential for a further cottage and parking, offering an exceptional development opportunity.

Steeped in history, the windmill has occupied this site since 1784, with previous mills believed to have stood here for over five centuries. Saved from demolition in the 1980s and later transformed into award-winning accommodation, it remains one of Scarborough’s most iconic structures. Scarborough itself is one of the UK’s leading coastal destinations, attracting around 7 million visitors each year thanks to its beaches, theatres, castle, retail centre and year-round events, all supported by excellent transport links. This strong footfall, combined with the property’s heritage appeal, development potential and minimal current marketing, creates significant scope for a new owner to expand the business through enhanced hospitality services, social media promotion, events, weddings or additional guest experiences.