1817
Polegate Windmill built
Polegate Windmill was built as a four-storey brick tower mill.
Site overview
Polegate Windmill, also known as Ovenden's Mill, Mockett's Mill, and Willingdon Windmill, stands at Polegate. It was built in 1817 as a four-storey brick tower mill and worked by wind until the 1940s. It later worked by auxiliary power until 1965.
Restoration followed, and the site now includes a milling 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
Polegate Windmill stands at Polegate on the former Willingdon parish side of the settlement. It is also known as Ovenden's Mill, Mockett's Mill, and Willingdon Windmill. The four-storey brick tower mill was built in 1817 for Joseph Seymour.
It has a domed cap, a stage at first-floor level, four patent sails on a cast-iron windshaft, a fantail, two pairs of overdrift millstones, and a third pair driven by auxiliary engine. The mill worked by wind until the 1940s and then by auxiliary power, latterly an electric motor, until 1965. Eastbourne and District Preservation Trust bought the mill and grounds, and restoration followed.
One stock broke in 1974, and replacement work was carried out in 1976. Further restoration took place in 2004, and two new sails were fitted in 2009. The restored Grade II* tower mill now forms part of a milling museum site.
Timeline
1942–1943
Wind working ended
The mill stopped working by wind during the 1940s.
1965
Auxiliary working ended
The mill ceased commercial operation by auxiliary power.
1967
Restoration completed
The tower mill was restored after acquisition for preservation.
1974
Stock broke
One of the restored stocks broke and brought down a sail.
1976
Replacement sails fitted
A replacement stock and two new sails were fitted.
2009
Two new sails fitted
Two new sails were fitted to the restored mill.
Sources and records
Polegate Windmill official site
Mills Archive entry: Polegate Windmill
Ovenden's Mill, Polegate article
Historic England Archive photograph entry
Explore Wealden visitor entry
Mills Archive entry: Polegate Windmill
Ovenden's Mill, Polegate article
Historic England Archive photograph entry
Explore Wealden visitor entry