1703
Windmill recorded in Keymer area
A windmill was recorded in the Keymer area by the early eighteenth century.
Site overview
Oldland Mill stands near Keymer and Hassocks. The earliest windmill record in the area dates from 1703, and the mill was standing by the eighteenth century. It worked by wind until 1912, later declined, and was acquired by the Sussex Archaeological Society in 1927.
Volunteer restoration began in 1980, and the mill ground corn again in 2008.
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
Oldland Mill stands near Keymer and Hassocks. It is a post mill on a single-storey octagonal roundhouse, with four spring sweeps, a tailpole, a cast-iron windshaft, and two pairs of millstones arranged head and tail. The earliest record of a windmill in the area dates from 1703.
A mill was standing at Keymer in 1755 and was marked on a map of 1783. Oldland Mill was working by wind until 1912, after which it deteriorated. The Sussex Archaeological Society acquired the mill in 1927, and E Hole and Sons of Burgess Hill carried out repairs in 1934.
In 1980 the Hassocks Amenity Association leased the mill and began volunteer-led restoration. Much of the framing was repaired or replaced, new sweeps were fitted in 2007, and the mill ground its first batch of corn for many decades in 2008. The auxiliary drive system was restored and commissioned with steam power in 2015.
Timeline
1755
Mill standing at Keymer
A mill stood at Keymer by the mid-eighteenth century.
1873
Cast-iron windshaft made
Boaz Medhurst of Lewes cast the mill's iron windshaft.
1912
Wind working ended
Oldland Mill ceased working by wind.
1927
Mill acquired for preservation
The Sussex Archaeological Society acquired the mill.
1934
Repairs carried out
E Hole and Sons of Burgess Hill carried out repairs to the mill.
1980
Volunteer restoration began
The Hassocks Amenity Association leased the mill and began restoration work.
2007
Sweeps lifted into position
Four sweeps were lifted into position on the restored mill.
2008
Corn ground again
Oldland Mill ground corn again after restoration.
2015
Steam drive restored
The auxiliary drive system was restored and commissioned using steam power.
Sources and records
Oldland Mill article
Oldland Mill Trust history
Windmill World entry: Oldland mill
Mills Archive entry: Oldland Mill
Traditional Cornmillers Guild entry: Oldland Windmill
Oldland Mill Trust history
Windmill World entry: Oldland mill
Mills Archive entry: Oldland Mill
Traditional Cornmillers Guild entry: Oldland Windmill