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Site overview

Hackett's Mill at West Ashling was an unusual combined water, wind, and steam mill. The original water-powered corn mill was built in 1825 and converted by Armfields in 1859–61 to incorporate a hollow-post windmill on the roof. The watermill worked into the 1930s, but the fantail and sweeps had been removed by 1922 after complaints about noise.

The roof-mounted windmill was removed in 1955.

Map

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No site photograph is currently available. Images will be added as field visits are carried out.

History

Hackett's Mill, also known as West Ashling Mill, began as a water-powered corn mill built in 1825 beside Bosham Stream. Between 1859 and 1861 it was converted by Armfields, the Hampshire millwrights, into an unusual hybrid mill combining water, wind, and steam power. The wind-powered element was a hollow-post mill mounted on the roof of the watermill.

The site therefore differed from a conventional free-standing post mill, with the windmill forming part of the machinery complex above the watermill building. The watermill continued working into the 1930s. The fantail and sweeps had been removed by 1922 after nearby residents complained about the noise.

The hollow-post windmill element was removed in 1955, leaving the watermill building as the surviving structure.

Timeline

1825

Watermill built

The original water-powered corn mill was built in 1825.
1859–1861

Hollow-post windmill added

Armfields converted the mill in 1859–61 to incorporate a hollow-post windmill on the roof.
1922

Fantail and sweeps removed

The fantail and sweeps had been removed by 1922.
1930–1939

Watermill continued working

The watermill worked into the 1930s.
1955

Roof windmill removed

The roof-mounted hollow-post windmill was removed in 1955.

Sources and records

Historic England Archive educational image: West Ashling Mill, Funtington
Windmill World entry: West Ashling windmill
Mills Archive catalogue entry: Hackett's Mill, West Ashling
University of Kent archive record: West Ashling Mill