Open day at De Leest windmill

Visit the 125-year-old De Leest windmill during the Open Monument Days.

Between 1885 and 1915, the livestock population in East Brabant grew from around 350,000 animals to 1.5 million, naturally leading to a sharp increase in demand for animal feed. At that time, this was supplied exclusively by millers. To meet the high demand, eight of the 24 mills in Peelland were built during that period, mostly using parts from mills that had been demolished in the west of the country, including De Leest mill. This was an efficient and inexpensive method!

Since 1976, volunteer millers have been operating the mill on a weekly basis, Dorus de Leest until the end of 2024 and Willy de Vocht until the beginning of 2025. There are now three millers, Ronald Essinger, Jacques Houët and Jan Tielemans, and three apprentices. Interested parties are welcome to visit the mill.