1823
Mill shown on map
West Blatchington Windmill appeared on Greenwood's map in 1823.
Site overview
West Blatchington Windmill is a Grade II* listed smock mill at West Blatchington, Brighton and Hove. It was built in the 1820s and appeared on Greenwood's map of 1823. The mill was painted by John Constable in 1825 and worked until 1897, when two sails were damaged.
Hove Corporation acquired it in 1937, and it later became a museum.
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
West Blatchington Windmill stands at West Blatchington, Brighton and Hove. It was built in the 1820s and first appeared on Greenwood's map of 1823. John Constable painted the mill in 1825.
The mill is unusual for Sussex because it is hexagonal rather than octagonal. It is a three-storey smock mill on a three-storey brick base, with a stage at third-floor level. It worked with four patent sails carried on a cast-iron windshaft, a Kentish-style cap winded by a fantail, and two pairs of underdrift millstones.
The mill worked until 1897, when two sails were damaged. Hove Corporation acquired the mill in 1937, and Neve's of Heathfield repaired it in the same year. Most of the machinery was removed in 1937, leaving the brake wheel and upright shaft.
The windmill became a museum in the 1970s and remains open to the public.
Timeline
1825
Mill painted by Constable
John Constable painted West Blatchington Windmill in 1825.
1897
Wind working ended
West Blatchington Windmill stopped working in 1897 after two sails were damaged.
1937
Corporation acquired mill
Hove Corporation acquired West Blatchington Windmill in 1937.
1937
Machinery removed
Most of the machinery was removed in 1937, leaving the brake wheel and upright shaft.
1950
Mill listed
West Blatchington Windmill was listed at Grade II* on 24 March 1950.
1976
Museum use began
West Blatchington Windmill has been used as a museum since 1976.
Sources and records
Wikipedia article: West Blatchington Windmill
West Blatchington Windmill museum material
Hove History: West Blatchington Windmill, Hove
Historic England National Heritage List entry
Sussex Industrial History No. 49
West Blatchington Windmill museum material
Hove History: West Blatchington Windmill, Hove
Historic England National Heritage List entry
Sussex Industrial History No. 49