1704–1707
Tower mill established
Gibraltar Mill was established at Great Bardfield in the early eighteenth century.
Site overview
Gibraltar Mill at Great Bardfield is a Grade II listed tower windmill, probably built around 1704 and known to have stood by 1707. It is an early tower mill with massive walls, later raised from an octagonal lower form to a circular upper stage. It was converted to a cottage by 1754, returned to windmill use by 1806, fitted with a new cast-iron windshaft in 1877, and worked until 1930.
The mill was later converted to residential use.
Map
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No site photograph is currently available. Images will be added as field visits are carried out.
History
Gibraltar Mill at Great Bardfield is one of the early tower windmills of Essex. A mill is firmly known at the site by 1707, and the most likely construction date is around 1704. The mill was built with unusually massive walls and an early two-stage form, originally octagonal to a height of about 6.10 metres and later raised to about 9.77 metres, reducing to a circular plan.
It had become a cottage by 1754, but was returned to work as a windmill by 1806, when its insured value had risen substantially. The mill was worked at times with nearby Great Bardfield Watermill. In 1877 a new cast-iron windshaft was fitted, replacing a wooden one.
In January 1899 the sails were blown off and the cap was badly damaged when the mill was tailwinded. It stood capless until 1904, when a new cap and sails were fitted and a fantail replaced the earlier internal winch winding system. The mill worked until 1930.
It was threatened with demolition in 1938, but the demolition was prevented. After the last miller died in the late 1950s, the machinery was stripped and the building was converted to residential use. The tower survives with a boat-shaped cap, stocks and skeleton sails.
Timeline
1754
Converted to a cottage
The mill had been converted to a cottage by 1754.
1806
Returned to windmill use
The building had returned to work as a windmill by 1806.
1877
Cast-iron windshaft fitted
A new cast-iron windshaft replaced the earlier wooden windshaft.
1899
Sails blown off
The sails were blown off and the cap was severely damaged when the mill was tailwinded.
1904
New cap and sails fitted
A new cap and sails were fitted, and fantail winding replaced the earlier internal winch system.
1930
Working ended
The mill worked until 1930.
1938
Demolition prevented
A proposed demolition was prevented under planning powers.
1950–1959
Machinery stripped
After the last miller died, the machinery was stripped and the building was converted to residential use.
Sources and records
Historic England National Heritage List entry
Windmill World Gibraltar Mill entry
Wikipedia article: Gibraltar Mill, Great Bardfield
British Listed Buildings entry
Essex Archives Online watercolour entry
Mills Archive Great Bardfield Tower Mill catalogue entry
Windmill World Gibraltar Mill entry
Wikipedia article: Gibraltar Mill, Great Bardfield
British Listed Buildings entry
Essex Archives Online watercolour entry
Mills Archive Great Bardfield Tower Mill catalogue entry