1800–1830
Mill built at Framfield
The post mill was built at Mount Ephraim, Framfield, in the early nineteenth century.
Site overview
Cross in Hand Windmill, also known as New Mill, stands near Heathfield. It was built at Mount Ephraim, Framfield, in the early nineteenth century, moved in 1855, and moved again to its present site in 1868. It was the last Sussex windmill to work commercially by wind, stopping in 1969 when a stock broke.
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
Cross in Hand Windmill stands near Heathfield and is also known as New Mill. It was built at Mount Ephraim, Framfield, in the early nineteenth century. In 1855 it was moved to a site south-west of its present position by Samuel Medhurst of Lewes.
In 1868 it was moved again to its current site, where a two-storey roundhouse was built around it. The mill is a post mill with four patent sails carried on a cast-iron windshaft and a tailpole-mounted fantail. It originally drove two pairs of millstones, with a third pair later added.
A lean-to was added to the roundhouse in 1900 to house two further millstones powered by a steam engine. Repairs were carried out in 1932, 1955, 1959, 1969, and 2018. The mill ceased working by wind in 1969 after a stock broke.
It survives as a Grade II* listed post mill.
Timeline
1855
Mill moved by Samuel Medhurst
The mill was moved from Framfield to a site south-west of its present position.
1868
Mill moved to present site
The post mill was moved to its present site at Cross in Hand.
1900
Steam milling lean-to added
A lean-to was added to the roundhouse for two further millstones powered by a steam engine.
1952
Mill listed
Cross in Hand Windmill was listed for its architectural and historic interest.
1969
Wind working ended
The mill ceased working by wind after a stock broke.
2018
Repairs carried out
Repairs were carried out to the post mill.
Sources and records
Historic England National Heritage List entry: Cross in Hand Windmill
New Mill, Cross-in-Hand article
Windmill World entry: New Mill, Cross in Hand
Sussex Industrial History article on Sussex windmills
New Mill, Cross-in-Hand article
Windmill World entry: New Mill, Cross in Hand
Sussex Industrial History article on Sussex windmills