1817
Mill moved to Nutley
Nutley Windmill is thought to have been moved from Kilndown, Goudhurst, around 1817.
Site overview
Nutley Windmill stands at Nutley on the edge of Ashdown Forest. It is an open-trestle post mill and is thought to have been moved from Kilndown, Goudhurst, around 1817. The mill worked by wind until 1908.
Restoration began in 1968, the mill turned by wind again in 1971, and grain was ground again in 1972.
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
Nutley Windmill stands at Nutley on the edge of Ashdown Forest. It is a rare open-trestle post mill, with two common sails and two spring sails carried on a cast-iron windshaft. The mill drives two pairs of millstones arranged head and tail.
It is thought to have been moved from Kilndown, Goudhurst, around 1817. The first record of a windmill at Nutley dates from 1840, while timber dating has shown that important parts of the structure are older than the nineteenth-century move. The mill was modernised in the 1880s, when a cast-iron windshaft replaced the earlier wooden one, spring sails replaced common sails, and larger millstones were added.
It worked by wind until 1908. In 1928 Lady Castle Stewart had the mill shored up with brick piers and steel joists, helping it survive until restoration. Restoration began in 1968.
The mill turned by wind again in 1971 and ground grain again in 1972. In 1975 Lady Castle Stewart gave the mill to the Uckfield and District Preservation Society. The restored Grade II* post mill remains a working heritage windmill.
Timeline
1840
Windmill recorded at Nutley
A windmill stood at Nutley by 1840.
1880–1889
Mill modernised
The mill received a cast-iron windshaft, spring sails, and larger millstones during the 1880s.
1908
Wind working ended
Nutley Windmill ceased working by wind.
1928
Mill shored up
Lady Castle Stewart had the mill shored up with brick piers and steel joists below the body.
1968
Restoration began
Restoration work began at Nutley Windmill.
1971
Mill turned by wind again
Nutley Windmill turned by wind again after restoration work.
1972
Grain ground again
Nutley Windmill ground grain again.
1975
Mill given to preservation society
Lady Castle Stewart gave the mill to the Uckfield and District Preservation Society.
1987
Storm damage repaired
The mill was damaged in the Great Storm and later repaired.
Sources and records
Nutley Windmill article
Mills Archive entry: Post mill, Nutley
Great Chishill Windmill reference: Other Post Mills
Sussex Mills Group entry: Nutley windmill
Uckfield and District Preservation Society restoration material
Mills Archive entry: Post mill, Nutley
Great Chishill Windmill reference: Other Post Mills
Sussex Mills Group entry: Nutley windmill
Uckfield and District Preservation Society restoration material