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Original windshaft removed
The original windshaft was removed and later displayed at Polegate windmill.
Site overview
King's Mead Mill, also known as Caldbec Hill Mill and Battle Windmill, is a smock mill at Battle. It was built in 1805 to replace an earlier post mill and worked as a corn mill until the First World War. In 1924 the mill was stripped of machinery and converted to residential use.
The original windshaft was removed, and a dummy windshaft was added during conversion.
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
King's Mead Mill stands at Battle and is also known as Caldbec Hill Mill or Battle Windmill. It was built in 1805 to replace an earlier post mill on the King's Head Mill site. The new mill was a four-storey smock mill on a single-storey brick base, with a Kentish-style cap winded by a fantail.
In working order it had four shuttered sails carried on a cast-iron windshaft and drove three pairs of millstones. The mill worked as a corn mill until the First World War. In 1924 it was stripped of machinery and converted to residential accommodation by Neve's of Heathfield.
The current windshaft is a dummy fitted during conversion, while the original windshaft is displayed at Polegate windmill.
Timeline
1805
Smock mill built
King's Mead Mill was built at Battle in 1805 to replace an earlier post mill.
1914–1918
Wind working ended
King's Mead Mill worked as a corn mill until the First World War.
1924
Mill converted to residence
The mill was stripped of machinery and converted to residential accommodation in 1924.
Sources and records
Mills Archive mill record: Caldbec Mill, Battle
Wikipedia article: King's Head Mill
Windmill World: Battle Windmill
Martin Brunnarius: The Windmills of Sussex
Wikipedia article: King's Head Mill
Windmill World: Battle Windmill
Martin Brunnarius: The Windmills of Sussex