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Millennium Beacon marks site
The windmill site is now marked by Winchelsea's Millennium Beacon.
Site overview
St Leonard's Mill was a post corn mill at Winchelsea. It was built in 1760 and moved from Iham to the remains of St Leonard's church by 1823. The mill worked until the 1890s, was derelict by the 1920s, and was repaired in 1935 and 1955.
The National Trust became custodian in 1975. The mill was blown down in the Great Storm of 16 October 1987, and the site is now marked by Winchelsea's Millennium Beacon.
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
St Leonard's Mill was built in 1760 and originally stood at Iham. It was shown there in the early nineteenth century before being moved by 1823 to a new site on the remains of St Leonard's church at Winchelsea. The post mill worked as a corn mill and had a single-storey roundhouse, two spring sails and two common sails on a wooden windshaft, roof-mounted fantail winding, and two pairs of millstones arranged head and tail.
A third pair of stones was driven by belt from the upright shaft. The mill was working until the 1890s and was derelict by the 1920s. It was repaired in 1935, when dummy sails were fitted, and repaired again in 1955.
The National Trust became custodian of the mill in 1975. In February 1978 the back of the mill was blown out in a gale. The windmill was blown down during the Great Storm on 16 October 1987.
One millstone was salvaged for use in the restoration of Lowfield Heath Windmill, and the Winchelsea site is now marked by the Millennium Beacon.
Timeline
1760
Post mill built
St Leonard's Mill was built in 1760.
1823
Moved to Winchelsea site
The post mill had been moved to the remains of St Leonard's church by 1823.
1890–1899
Working ended
The mill worked until the 1890s.
1935
Repaired with dummy sails
The mill was repaired in 1935 and fitted with dummy sails.
1955
Further repair carried out
The mill was repaired again in 1955.
1975
National Trust custodianship began
The National Trust became custodian of the mill in 1975.
1978
Back of mill damaged
The back of the mill was blown out in a gale in February 1978.
1987
Mill blown down
St Leonard's Mill was blown down on 16 October 1987.
Sources and records
Wikipedia article: St Leonard's Mill, Winchelsea
Windmill World entry: Winchelsea windmill
Mills Archive catalogue material for St Leonard's Mill, Winchelsea
Winchelsea local history material
Windmill World entry: Winchelsea windmill
Mills Archive catalogue material for St Leonard's Mill, Winchelsea
Winchelsea local history material