Site overview

Killick's Mill, also known as Meopham Windmill, is a restored Grade II* smock corn mill at Meopham Green. The mill was built by the Killick brothers from Strood, with sources giving 1801 or 1819 as the construction date. Its six-sided smock is unusual among Kent windmills, most of which are eight-sided.

The mill has a brick base, stage, double patent sails on a cast-iron windshaft, fantail winding, and millstones. It was run by the Killick family until 1889, last worked by wind in 1929, and then worked by oil engine and electric motor until 1965. Kent County Council acquired it in 1960, and restoration by E. Hole and Sons preserved the mill as one of Kent's principal smock-mill survivals.

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

Killick's Mill stands at Meopham Green and is also known as Meopham Windmill. It was built by the Killick brothers from Strood, with some sources giving 1801 and the Meopham Windmill history giving 1819. The mill is especially notable for its hexagonal plan, an unusual form among Kent smock mills, which are more commonly octagonal.

The mill is a three-storey smock on a brick base, with a stage at second-floor level. It has four double patent sails carried on a cast-iron windshaft, with fantail winding. Its machinery included a wooden brake wheel, cast-iron wallower and great spur wheel, and overdrift millstones. The mill originally had two pairs of stones, with a third and then fourth pair added later. One pair of stones and the auxiliary oil engine came from Richardson's Mill at Boughton under Blean. The mill also generated electricity for internal lighting at one stage.

The Killick family ran the mill until 1889, when it was sold to the Norton family. Wind working ended in 1929, but the mill continued with oil-engine and electric-motor power until 1965. Kent County Council acquired the mill in 1960, and restoration by E. Hole and Sons of Burgess Hill followed. Later conservation work has included repair of the reefing stage and specialist timber repairs. Killick's Mill remains a restored Grade II* listed smock mill and a distinctive landmark on Meopham Green.

Timeline

Grade II* listing

Killick's Mill is protected as a Grade II* listed smock mill.
1801–1819

Smock mill built

Killick's Mill was built by the Killick brothers from Strood, with sources giving dates of 1801 and 1819.
1889

Norton family ownership began

The mill passed from the Killick family to the Norton family.
1929

Wind working ended

Killick's Mill last worked by wind in 1929.
1960

Acquired by Kent County Council

Kent County Council acquired the mill for preservation.
1960–1965

Mill restored

E. Hole and Sons of Burgess Hill restored the mill.
1965

Auxiliary milling ended

The mill worked by oil engine and electric motor until 1965.

Sources and records

Historic England funding article on Meopham Windmill
Meopham Windmill official history
Meopham Windmill mechanical details
Meopham Parish Council chronology
Windmill World site entry
Wikipedia article: Killick's Mill, Meopham
Mills Archive catalogue references