1596
Windmill site established
A windmill site at Rye was in use by 1596.
Site overview
Gibbet Mill, also known as Tillingham Mill, Barry's Mill, New Mill, and Rye Windmill, is a reconstructed smock mill at Rye. A mill stood on the site from 1596, and the smock mill was built in 1824. It worked by wind until 1912 and was used as a bakery until it burnt down on 13 June 1930.
A new mill body was erected on the original base in 1932.
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
Gibbet Mill stands at Rye and is also known as Tillingham Mill, Barry's Mill, New Mill, and Rye Windmill. A windmill site had existed there since 1596, and a post mill was present by 1758. The smock mill was built in 1824 and worked as a corn mill.
It was a four-storey smock mill on a single-storey brick base, with a stage at first-floor level, a Kentish-style cap winded by a fantail, four spring sails on a cast-iron windshaft, and three pairs of millstones. It worked by wind until 1912 and then served as a bakery until it burnt down on 13 June 1930. A new mill was erected in 1932 by Neve's of Heathfield.
The present structure is a cosmetic reconstruction on the original base and is used as bed and breakfast accommodation.
Timeline
1758
Post mill present
A post mill stood on the Rye windmill site by 1758.
1824
Smock mill built
Gibbet Mill was built at Rye in 1824.
1912
Wind working ended
Gibbet Mill worked by wind until 1912.
1930
Mill burnt down
Gibbet Mill burnt down on 13 June 1930 while in use as a bakery.
1932
Replica mill erected
A new mill body was erected on the original base in 1932.
Sources and records
Wikipedia article: Gibbet Mill, Rye
Rye Windmill history page
Windmill World: Rye Windmill
National Heritage List entry: Rye Windmill
Martin Brunnarius: The Windmills of Sussex
Rye Windmill history page
Windmill World: Rye Windmill
National Heritage List entry: Rye Windmill
Martin Brunnarius: The Windmills of Sussex