1765
Post mill built
Reigate Heath Windmill was built around 1765.
Site overview
Reigate Heath Windmill is a Grade II* listed post mill on Reigate Heath. It was built around 1765, although a mill was marked there earlier in the eighteenth century. The mill last worked by wind in April 1862.
In 1880 the roundhouse was converted into St Cross Chapel, a chapel of ease to St Mary's Parish Church. The mill was restored in the 1960s and again in 2002.
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
Reigate Heath Windmill was built around 1765, although maps show a mill on Reigate Heath in 1753 and 1762. It worked as a post corn mill with a single-storey roundhouse. The mill originally had four common sails on a wooden windshaft and later worked with four double patent sails.
Wind working ended in April 1862. In 1880 the roundhouse was converted into a chapel of ease to St Mary's Parish Church, and the first service took place on 14 September 1880. The chapel is known as St Cross Chapel.
Reigate Golf Club bought the mill in 1900 and leased it back to the church. A sail broke in 1926, new sails were fitted in 1927, and a dummy fantail was added. The sails blew off in 1943 and were not replaced at that time.
Reigate Borough Council bought the mill in 1962 and restored it over the following two years, with new sails fitted. Further restoration in 2002 included new sails, strengthening, and repairs. The mill is listed Grade II* and remains a distinctive post mill with its roundhouse in ecclesiastical use.
Timeline
1862
Wind working ended
The mill last worked by wind in April 1862.
1880
Roundhouse chapel opened
The roundhouse was converted into St Cross Chapel, with the first service held on 14 September 1880.
1900
Bought by Reigate Golf Club
Reigate Golf Club bought the mill in 1900 and leased it back to the church.
1927
New sails fitted
New sails were fitted in 1927 after a sail broke in 1926.
1943
Sails blown off
The sails blew off in 1943 and were not replaced at that time.
1962
Purchased for restoration
Reigate Borough Council bought the mill in 1962 and restored it over the following two years.
2002
Further restoration
Further restoration in 2002 included new sails, strengthening, and repairs.
Sources and records
Historic England National Heritage List entry: Reigate Heath Windmill
Wikipedia article: Reigate Heath Windmill
Windmill World entry: Reigate Heath
St Mary's Reigate material on The Mill Church
List of windmills in Surrey
Wikipedia article: Reigate Heath Windmill
Windmill World entry: Reigate Heath
St Mary's Reigate material on The Mill Church
List of windmills in Surrey