Weathervanes

Weather Vanes UK

A weather vane, often referred to as a weathercock due to the traditional cockerel design that featured on them is a device usually mounted on the chimney top of traditional British houses. The function of them has remained only partly useful in determining the direction of the wind and for most, they are used as decorative pieces atop of roof buildings, farmhouses or ornate structures.

The word 'vane' comes from the Old English word 'fana' meaning 'flag'. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest weathervane in the world is situated in Jerez, Spain and features a Tio Pepe Sherry advertisement.

Most weathervanes feature an arrow pointing the direction of the wind, with a larger 'tail end' to catch the wind. The four compass points often accompany the weathervane below showing a more 'accurate' direction for the wind, although this assumes one has positioned it correctly at installation!