Site overview

Ringle Crouch Green Mill is a former smock corn mill at Sandhurst. It was built in 1844 by William Warren of Hawkhurst to replace an earlier post mill that had blown down at Boxhurst Farm in 1842. The mill was unusual in Kent for having five patent sails on a cast-iron windshaft.

It worked until 1912, after which it became derelict. The stage was removed in 1926, and the smock was demolished to base level in 1945. The surviving brick base was later used as a Scout hut.

In 1997 permission was granted for a new smock tower on the original base, used as residential accommodation and capable of generating electricity.

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

Ringle Crouch Green Mill stands at Sandhurst and is one of Kent's most distinctive former smock mills. It was built in 1844 by William Warren, the Hawkhurst millwright, for James Collins. The new mill replaced an earlier post mill at Boxhurst Farm, which had blown down in 1842. The smock mill was exceptional in Kent because it had five sails, a feature more often associated with mills outside the county.

The mill was built as a four-storey, eight-sided smock mill on a two-storey brick base. It had a Kentish-style cap, five patent sails carried on a cast-iron windshaft with a Lincolnshire cross, an eight-bladed fantail, and a stage at second-floor level. Internally it drove four pairs of millstones. James Collins worked the mill after its construction, followed by his son Edward Collins, who continued until his death in 1911. Edward and Harry Collins then worked it briefly before C. J. Bannister operated it for about a year.

Working use ended in 1912. A sail blew off, and the mill quickly became derelict. The fantail and shutters were removed, and the stage was taken down in 1926. An iron windpump was later erected beside the mill, and water tanks were installed in the building to supply nearby cottages and cowsheds. The smock was demolished in 1945, leaving the base, which was used for a time as a Scout hut. In 1997 permission was granted to build a replica smock tower on the original base, with the new structure used as living accommodation and fitted with a wind turbine for electricity generation.

Timeline

1842

Earlier post mill blown down

An earlier post mill at Boxhurst Farm was blown down before the smock mill was built.
1844

Five-sail smock mill built

William Warren of Hawkhurst built Ringle Crouch Green Mill for James Collins.
1844–1911

Collins family worked the mill

James Collins and later Edward Collins worked the five-sail smock mill through most of its commercial life.
1912

Working use ended

The mill ceased working after a short final period under C. J. Bannister.
1926

Stage removed

The stage was removed after the mill had become derelict.
1945

Smock demolished to base

The upper smock structure was demolished, leaving the brick base standing.
1997

Rebuilt as residential mill

Permission was granted for a replica smock tower on the original base, used as living accommodation and electricity generation.

Sources and records

Windmill World site entry
Historic England Archive photograph description
Geograph photograph: Ringle Crouch Green Mill
Mills Archive photographic catalogue
Wikipedia article: Ringle Crouch Green Mill
List of windmills in Kent