East Wittering Windmill

Site overview

East Wittering Windmill is a four-storey tower mill on Church Road. It was first mentioned in 1810 and worked as a wind-powered corn mill until 1895. The sails were removed in 1896, and the cap was blown off in 1931.

Some machinery remained in the derelict tower in 1974, but the mill was burnt out in May 1975. The rendered brick tower survives and is listed Grade II.

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

East Wittering Windmill was a brick tower corn mill built by the early nineteenth century. It was first mentioned in 1810 and worked with four sails, comprising two spring sails and two common sails. The beehive cap was winded by a fantail, and the mill drove two pairs of underdrift millstones.

Wind working continued until 1895, after which the sails were removed in 1896. The cap was blown off in 1931. The tower remained standing and still contained some machinery in 1974, but a fire in May 1975 burnt out the mill and the windshaft fell within the tower.

The surviving four-storey cement-rendered brick tower is listed Grade II.

Timeline

1810

Windmill first mentioned

East Wittering Windmill was first mentioned in 1810.

1895

Wind working ended

The mill worked by wind until 1895.

1896

Sails removed

The sails were removed in 1896.

1931

Cap blown off

The cap was blown off in 1931.

1975

Tower burnt out

The derelict tower was burnt out in May 1975, and the windshaft fell within the tower.

1986

Listed Grade II

East Wittering Windmill was listed Grade II on 28 January 1986.

Sources and records

Historic England National Heritage List entry: East Wittering Windmill
Windmill World entry: East Wittering windmill
Wikipedia article: East Wittering Windmill
Mills Archive catalogue entry: East Wittering Windmill