the village that can be seen clearly on entering the village from the east. The windmill is open to the public and may be accessed via a public footpath leading from Mill Farm. Keys to the windmill can be obtained from either public house The Royal George (freehouse), or The Red Lion (Greene King tied). Stevington won the accolade of "Best Kept Village" in 1965,1969,1979 and most recently in 1985. Stevington was a location for much non-conformist activity, prominent because it is exactly from Bedford, allowing Baptist activities to occur under the laws of the 17th and 18th centuries. A fine Baptist Chapel is found at the West End of the Village and it is reputed that John Bunyan preached in the field at Meeting Farm Windmill The mill operated commercially, mostly grinding cattle feed, until 1939. It was purchased and restored in 1951 by Bedfordshire County Council, as part of the County's contribution to the Festival of Britain. Stevington Mill was probably the last windmill in Britain working with four common (cloth covered) sails, which were replaced in 1958 and again in 2004, the latter after a seven-year absence. The sails are turned periodically and the machinery, though requiring constant maintenance, is in rough working order. References External links St Mary The Virgin, Stevington The Website of the Parish Council of Stevington Website of the Stevington Historical Trust [1] Villages in Bedfordshire Civil parishes in Bedfordshire Borough of Bedford