1800–1820
Tower corn mill built
Plumstead Common Windmill was built as a four-storey brick tower corn mill.
Site overview
Plumstead Common Windmill is a four-storey brick tower mill on Plumstead Common. It was built in the early nineteenth century as a corn mill with four common sails, a domed cap, first-floor stage and hand winding. An accident occurred at the mill in 1827 when a crowded stage gave way.
The mill had fallen out of use before 1848, when the tower was converted into a brewhouse. The tower survives as part of the Old Mill public house.
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
Plumstead Common Windmill was built in the early nineteenth century as a wind-powered corn mill. It stood on Plumstead Common and was a four-storey brick tower mill. The working mill had four common sails, a domed cap, a stage at first-floor level and hand winding.
In 1827 a large crowd gathered on the stage to watch a sham fight; the stage gave way and several people were injured. The mill had ceased working by the middle of the nineteenth century. In 1848 the tower was converted into a brewhouse after standing disused for a number of years.
The surviving tower was later incorporated into the Old Mill public house, preserving the main masonry body of the former windmill while its cap, sails and milling machinery were removed.
Timeline
1827
Stage accident occurred
A crowded first-floor stage gave way during a public gathering at the mill.
1848
Converted to brewhouse
The disused tower was converted into a brewhouse.
1954
Tower listed at Grade II
The remains of the former windmill were listed at Grade II.
Sources and records
Historic England National Heritage List entry
Windmill World Plumstead mill entry
Wikipedia article: Plumstead Common Windmill
List of windmills in London
London Guided Walks Old Mill Plumstead article
Windmill World Plumstead mill entry
Wikipedia article: Plumstead Common Windmill
List of windmills in London
London Guided Walks Old Mill Plumstead article