1814
Post mill built
Windmill Hill Mill was built near Herstmonceux around 1814.
Site overview
Windmill Hill Mill stands near Herstmonceux and is the largest post mill in Sussex. It was built around 1814 and worked until about 1893. The mill became derelict during the twentieth century but retained important machinery, including its windshaft and brake wheel.
The mill body was dismantled and rebuilt between 2003 and 2005, and the site now preserves a restored post mill on its historic hilltop setting.
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 near Herstmonceux as a large post mill. It was built around 1814 and became the largest post mill in Sussex, reaching about 50 feet in height. The mill was sheet-metal clad and had an unusual double-roofed roundhouse.
It was turned by tailpole throughout its wind-powered working life, which ended around 1893. During the twentieth century the mill stood derelict without sails, but important elements survived, including the windshaft, brake wheel, roundhouse, ladder, tailpole, and lower body. After more than a century of dereliction, the mill body was dismantled and rebuilt between 2003 and 2005.
Timeline
1893
Wind working ended
Windmill Hill Mill ended its wind-powered working life around 1893.
1933
Derelict mill remained
The derelict mill remained standing without sails in 1933.
2003–2005
Mill body rebuilt
The mill body was dismantled and rebuilt between 2003 and 2005.
Sources and records
Argos Hill Windmill: Mill Tour Guide Information and Technical Details
Wikipedia article: List of windmills in East Sussex
Guy Blythman Windmill Photographic Register
UCL Discovery paper: What do dendrochronology and other timber-dating methods tell us about the history of English post mills?
Sussex Industrial Archaeology Society newsletter material
Wikipedia article: List of windmills in East Sussex
Guy Blythman Windmill Photographic Register
UCL Discovery paper: What do dendrochronology and other timber-dating methods tell us about the history of English post mills?
Sussex Industrial Archaeology Society newsletter material