1806
Permission granted for mill
John Blake Barker received permission to build a windmill on newly enclosed land on Mitcham Common.
Site overview
Mitcham Common Mill was a hollow-post corn mill built after John Blake Barker received permission in 1806 to erect a windmill on newly enclosed common land. It worked until 1862, when a storm and lightning strike destroyed two sails and ended the mill's working life. The mill was dismantled down to its base in 1905.
The surviving remains stand at Mill House and are Grade II listed.
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
Mitcham Common Mill was built after John Blake Barker was granted permission in 1806 to erect a windmill on half an acre of newly enclosed land on Mitcham Common. The tenancy required the miller to grind local inhabitants' grist on two days each week at a fair and reasonable price. The mill was a hollow-post corn mill and worked through the first half of the nineteenth century.
In 1862 a storm struck the mill with lightning and destroyed two sails, ending its working life. The mill was finally dismantled down to its base in 1905. Mill House, built in 1860 and first known as Mill Cottage or Windmill Cottage, stood beside the mill site.
The surviving mill base and bare trestle remains later deteriorated, but were stabilised. The remains are Grade II listed and stand beside the later public-house and ecology-centre development on Mitcham Common.
Timeline
1806–1862
Corn mill operated
The hollow-post mill worked as a corn mill serving local grist milling needs.
1862
Working ended after storm damage
Lightning destroyed two sails during a storm and the mill ceased working.
1905
Mill dismantled to base
The mill was dismantled down to its base.
1988
Base listed at Grade II
The base of the former windmill at Mill House was listed at Grade II.
1994
Public-house development made
The site was developed with a public house and an ecology centre while the mill remains were retained.
Sources and records
Historic England National Heritage List entry
Windmill World Mitcham Common mill entry
Mills Archive Hollow-post mill, Mitcham Common record
Merton Memories Photographic Archive
List of windmills in London
Windmill World Mitcham Common mill entry
Mills Archive Hollow-post mill, Mitcham Common record
Merton Memories Photographic Archive
List of windmills in London