Walter's Mill

Site overview

Walter's Mill is a tower mill at Mark Cross. It was first mentioned in 1845 and is thought to have been built by the Arnold brothers of Paddock Wood. The mill worked by wind until 26 July 1911, when it was burnt out.

It was refitted and driven by a gas engine, later had its crenellated top removed, and was converted and extended as a house in 1962. The converted tower survives.

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

Walter's Mill at Mark Cross was first mentioned in 1845 and is thought to have been built by the Arnold brothers of Paddock Wood. It was a five-storey tile-hung brick tower mill with four patent sails, a Kentish-style cap winded by fantail, and two pairs of underdrift millstones. The mill worked by wind until 26 July 1911, when it was burnt out.

It was then refitted and driven by a gas engine, at one stage with a crenellated top. That top was removed in the early 1930s. In 1962 the mill building was converted and extended to form a house, with enlarged door and window openings.

The house-converted tower survives.

Timeline

1845

Tower mill first mentioned

Walter's Mill was first mentioned in 1845.

1911

Wind working ended after fire

The mill worked by wind until it was burnt out on 26 July 1911.

1911–1930

Gas-engine working adopted

The mill was refitted and driven by a gas engine after the 1911 fire.

1930–1939

Crenellated top removed

The crenellated top was removed in the early 1930s.

1962

Converted to a house

The mill building was converted and extended to form a house in 1962.

Sources and records

Wikipedia article: Walter's Mill, Mark Cross
Windmill World entry: Mark Cross windmill
Mills Archive catalogue entry: Walter's Mill, Mark Cross
Mark Cross Windmill history material