1824
Tower mill built
Wray Common Mill was built as a five-storey brick tower corn mill.
Site overview
Wray Common Mill at Reigate is a five-storey brick tower corn mill. It was built in 1824 and worked by wind until a broken-sail accident in 1895. Steam and later oil power supplemented the mill.
Most machinery was removed in 1928, leaving the windshaft and brake wheel. The mill was converted to residential use in 1967 and was restored externally from 2004, with a new cap and sails fitted by 2007.
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
Wray Common Mill was built at Reigate in 1824 as a five-storey brick tower corn mill. It worked by wind until 1895, when a broken sail ended wind operation. The mill also used auxiliary power, first from a steam engine and later from an oil engine.
The sail shutters were removed around 1900. A new set of sails was fitted in 1928 by Thomas Hunt of Soham, and at that time the internal machinery was removed except for the windshaft and brake wheel. The mill was converted into residential accommodation in 1967.
After deterioration in the late twentieth century, restoration began in 2004. The cap was removed in August 2004, a new cap was constructed, the tower was repaired and retarred, and the new cap was craned into place in 2005. Replacement sails were fitted in December 2007.
Timeline
1895
Wind working ended
A broken-sail accident ended working by wind.
1928
Sails replaced and machinery removed
Thomas Hunt of Soham fitted new sails, and the machinery was removed except for the windshaft and brake wheel.
1967
Converted to residential use
The tower mill was converted into residential accommodation.
2004–2005
Cap restoration
The cap was removed, a new cap was constructed, and the new cap was craned into place.
2007
Sails fitted
Replacement sails were fitted in December.
Sources and records
Wikipedia article: Wray Common Mill, Reigate
Historic England National Heritage List entry
Windmill World site entry
Wray Common Windmill restoration history
Bonwick Milling Heritage Consultancy report
Historic England National Heritage List entry
Windmill World site entry
Wray Common Windmill restoration history
Bonwick Milling Heritage Consultancy report