1814
Windmill Hill Mill built
Windmill Hill Mill was built as a large post mill by William Medhurst of Lewes.
Site overview
Windmill Hill Mill stands at Windmill Hill in the parish of Herstmonceux. It was built around 1814 by William Medhurst of Lewes and worked as a corn mill. The mill stopped working by wind in 1893, but steam-powered milling continued in the roundhouse.
It was restored after the formation of a trust in the 1990s and returned to wind operation in the twenty-first century.
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
Windmill Hill Mill stands at Windmill Hill, near Herstmonceux. It was built around 1814 by William Medhurst, the Lewes millwright, and replaced an older mill on the site. The mill is a large post mill on a brick roundhouse and was used for corn milling.
It worked by wind until 1893, when weakness in the weatherbeam brought wind working to an end. Milling then continued by steam power in the roundhouse, with machinery installed for that purpose. The mill retained important technical features, including patent sweeps, a cast-iron windshaft, two pairs of stones, and Hammond's Patent Sweep Governor.
It became derelict during the twentieth century and developed serious structural faults. A trust was formed in 1995 to secure its future. The mill was dismantled for restoration in 2003, rebuilt in 2004, and received its sails again in 2005.
The patent sweeps turned again in 2015. The restored Grade II* post mill now operates as a working heritage windmill.
Timeline
1873
Hammond sweep governor patented
Charles Edwin Hammond patented the sweep governor later associated with the mill.
1893
Wind working ended
The mill stopped working by wind after weakness developed in the weatherbeam.
1894
Steam milling continued
Milling continued by steam power in the roundhouse after the sails were removed.
1952
Mill listed
Windmill Hill Mill was listed for its architectural and historic interest.
1995
Trust formed
A trust was formed to prevent further deterioration and pursue restoration.
2003
Mill dismantled for restoration
The mill was dismantled and taken away for restoration.
2004
Frame returned to main post
The rebuilt frame was lifted back onto the main post.
2005
Sails fitted
The restored sails were fitted to the mill.
2015
Patent sweeps turned again
The patent sweeps turned again for the first time in about 120 years.
Sources and records
Historic England National Heritage List entry: The Windmill, Herstmonceux
Windmill World entry: Herstmonceux windmill
Wikipedia article: Windmill Hill Mill, Herstmonceux
Explore Wealden visitor entry
Sussex Mills Group entry: Windmill Hill Windmill
Windmill World entry: Herstmonceux windmill
Wikipedia article: Windmill Hill Mill, Herstmonceux
Explore Wealden visitor entry
Sussex Mills Group entry: Windmill Hill Windmill