Lowfield Heath Mill

Site overview

Lowfield Heath Mill is a Grade II listed post mill now standing at Charlwood. It originally stood at Lowfield Heath and was marked on eighteenth-century maps. The mill was last worked by wind in 1880 and continued with portable steam power until at least 1895.

It became derelict in the twentieth century, was dismantled in 1987, and was re-erected at Charlwood after restoration. The restored mill has a single-storey roundhouse, tailpole winding, a cast-iron windshaft, and two pairs of millstones.

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

Lowfield Heath Mill originally stood at Lowfield Heath and was marked on maps from the eighteenth century. It was a post corn mill on a single-storey roundhouse. The mill was damaged in a storm on 29 November 1835.

It last worked by wind in 1880, although milling continued with a portable steam engine until at least 1895. By the 1930s the mill had dummy sails, and by 1957 it was derelict, with the roundhouse roof gone and much of the mill roof missing. Protective work began in 1964, and further repairs followed between 1965 and 1971.

The Lowfield Heath Windmill Trust was formed in 1984. The mill was dismantled in 1987 because its original site was affected by access problems and airport-related development pressure. It was re-erected at Charlwood after a long restoration, with new and acquired machinery incorporated into the restored mill.

The mill is listed Grade II and has been restored to working order.

Timeline

1762

Mill marked on map

Lowfield Heath Mill was marked on a map dated 1762.

1835

Mill damaged by storm

The mill was damaged in a storm on 29 November 1835.

1880

Wind working ended

The mill last worked by wind in 1880.

1895

Steam-assisted working continued

The mill continued working with a portable steam engine until at least 1895.

1966

Listed Grade II

Lowfield Heath Windmill was listed Grade II on 11 November 1966.

1984

Trust formed

The Lowfield Heath Windmill Trust was formed in 1984 to restore the mill.

1987

Mill dismantled

The mill was dismantled from its Lowfield Heath site in 1987.

1989

Moved to Charlwood

The post mill was moved to Charlwood in 1989.

Sources and records

Lowfield Heath Windmill Trust website
Historic England National Heritage List entry: Lowfield Heath Windmill
Windmill World entry: Lowfield Heath Mill, Charlwood
Wikipedia article: Lowfield Heath Windmill
Charlwood and Hookwood local history page: Lowfield Heath Windmill