—
Moved to Stocks Green
The smock mill was moved to Stocks Green north of Leigh.
Site overview
Stocks Green Mill was a smock mill at Leigh, near Hildenborough. It was originally constructed at Sidley near Bexhill in 1723, was burnt down and rebuilt in 1798, and was later moved to Stocks Green north of Leigh. The mill was restored in 1928 and remained working through the 1930s.
By 1968 the structure had collapsed and only the roundel remained. The remaining fabric has since been demolished, leaving a former windmill site rather than a standing mill.
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
Stocks Green Mill was a smock mill at Leigh. Its history was unusual because the mill did not originate in Kent: it was first built at Sidley near Bexhill in 1723. After a fire in 1797, it was rebuilt in 1798 and was later moved to Stocks Green north of Leigh.
The mill was restored in 1928 and continued working through the 1930s. Photographic records from 1936 show Stocks Green Mill as a smock mill at Leigh. Its later history was one of decline. By 1968 the mill had collapsed and only the roundel remained.
The surviving remains were later demolished, so the site is now a former windmill location rather than a physical survival. Stocks Green Mill is nevertheless an important record of a moved smock mill, preserving a complex history of construction, fire, rebuilding, relocation, restoration, working survival, and final loss.
Timeline
—
Remaining fabric demolished
The remaining fabric of the former mill has since been demolished.
1723
Original smock mill built
The mill was originally constructed at Sidley near Bexhill in 1723.
1797
Original mill burnt down
The mill burnt down in 1797 before being rebuilt.
1798
Smock mill rebuilt
The mill was rebuilt after the 1797 fire.
1928
Mill restored
Stocks Green Mill was restored in 1928.
1930–1939
Working survival recorded
The mill was still working throughout the 1930s.
1936
Smock mill photographed
Stocks Green Mill was photographed at Leigh on 16 August 1936.
1968
Collapsed remains recorded
By 1968 the mill had collapsed and only the roundel remained.
Sources and records
Historic England Research Records entry
Mills Archive photographic record: Stocks Green Mill, Leigh
Leigh Historical Society article: Leigh's Three Windmills
Windmill World references
List of windmills in Kent
Mills Archive photographic record: Stocks Green Mill, Leigh
Leigh Historical Society article: Leigh's Three Windmills
Windmill World references
List of windmills in Kent