1596
Earlier mill on site
A mill stood on the Rye Windmill site by 1596.
Site overview
Rye Windmill, also known as Gibbet Mill, Tillingham Mill, Barry's Mill, or New Mill, stands beside the River Tillingham at Rye. A mill had stood on the site since 1596. The smock mill was built in 1824 as a corn mill, worked by wind until 1912, and was later used as a bakery.
It burnt down on 13 June 1930, and a reconstructed mill was erected in 1932 on the original base.
Map
Map markers and directions links are provided for location reference only and do not indicate public access or permission to enter a site.
No site photograph is currently available. Images will be added as field visits are carried out.
History
Rye Windmill stands beside the River Tillingham at Rye. The site had a mill by 1596, and a post mill was built there in 1758. That earlier mill was replaced in 1824 by the smock mill known as Gibbet Mill, Tillingham Mill, Barry's Mill, or New Mill.
The 1824 mill was a four-storey, eight-sided smock mill on a single-storey brick base, with a stage at first-floor level. It had four sails, a cast-iron windshaft, fantail winding, and three pairs of millstones. The name Barry's Mill came from Frederick Barry, an early miller.
The mill worked by wind until 1912 and was later used as a bakery. It burnt down on 13 June 1930. A reconstructed mill was erected in 1932 on the original base, with millwrighting by Neve's of Heathfield.
The reconstructed mill is Grade II listed and is now used as bed-and-breakfast accommodation.
Timeline
1758
Post mill built
A post mill was built on the site.
1824
Smock mill built
The present Rye windmill site received a new smock mill for corn milling.
1912
Wind working ended
The mill stopped working by wind.
1930
Mill burnt down
The smock mill burnt down while in bakery use.
1932
Mill reconstructed
A reconstructed mill was erected on the original base.
2009
Mill used as accommodation
The reconstructed Rye Windmill served as bed-and-breakfast accommodation.
Sources and records
Wikipedia article: Gibbet Mill, Rye
Historic England Archive photograph entry
Geograph photograph entry: Gibbet Mill, Rye
List of windmills in East Sussex
Rye Windmill accommodation history
Historic England Archive photograph entry
Geograph photograph entry: Gibbet Mill, Rye
List of windmills in East Sussex
Rye Windmill accommodation history