1837
Smock windpump built
Wandsworth Common Windmill was built to pump water from the railway cutting to the Black Sea lake.
Site overview
Wandsworth Common Windmill was built in 1837 as a smock drainage mill. It pumped water from the London and Southampton Railway cutting into the ornamental lake on Wandsworth Common known as the Black Sea. The mill was still working around 1870, but the Black Sea was filled in around 1884 and the mill lost its pumping purpose.
The sails and fantail were removed, and the surviving smock was later conserved with a reconstructed cap.
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
Wandsworth Common Windmill was built in 1837 to drain water from the cutting of the London and Southampton Railway. The water was pumped into an ornamental lake on Wandsworth Common known as the Black Sea, created as part of the estate landscape associated with William Wilson of Price's Candle Works. The mill was a small smock windpump rather than a corn mill.
It had a low brick base, a small hexagonal smock, a cap, four patent sails and fantail winding. The mill was still working around 1870. Around 1884 the Black Sea was drained and filled in, removing the reason for the windpump.
The sails and fantail were then removed. The smock survived on Wandsworth Common and later gained a reconstructed cap, replacing a pyramidal roof visible in the mid-twentieth century. The surviving structure is Grade II listed.
Timeline
1870
Windpump still working
The windpump was still working around 1870.
1884
Pumping purpose ended
The Black Sea lake was drained and filled in, and the windpump ceased working.
1983
Windpump listed at Grade II
The surviving windpump was listed at Grade II.
Sources and records
Historic England National Heritage List entry
Windmill World Wandsworth mill entry
Wikipedia article: Wandsworth Common Windmill
Mills Archive Common Mill, Wandsworth record
Historic Battersea, Sherwood Ramsey, 1913
List of windmills in London
Windmill World Wandsworth mill entry
Wikipedia article: Wandsworth Common Windmill
Mills Archive Common Mill, Wandsworth record
Historic Battersea, Sherwood Ramsey, 1913
List of windmills in London