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Original windshaft displayed elsewhere
The original windshaft is displayed at Polegate Windmill.
Site overview
King's Mead Mill, also known as Battle Windmill or Caldbec Hill Mill, is a smock mill at Battle. It was built in 1805, replacing an earlier post mill. The mill worked until the First World War and was stripped of machinery and converted to residential accommodation in 1924.
The original windshaft is displayed at Polegate Windmill, while the converted mill carries a dummy windshaft.
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
King's Mead Mill, also known as Battle Windmill or Caldbec Hill Mill, was built in 1805 to replace an earlier post mill. It was a four-storey smock mill on a single-storey base, with an eight-sided smock, a Kentish-style cap winded by fantail, four shuttered sails on a cast-iron windshaft, and three pairs of millstones. William Neve was associated with the mill from 1805 to 1839, followed by later millers including Porter, Henry Harmer, Freeman, and Jenner.
The mill worked until the First World War. In 1924 it was stripped of its machinery and converted to residential accommodation by Neve's of Heathfield. The original windshaft was later displayed at Polegate Windmill, and the converted mill carries a dummy windshaft.
The building is listed Grade II.
Timeline
1805
Smock mill built
King's Mead Mill was built in 1805, replacing an earlier post mill.
1805–1839
William Neve milling period
William Neve was associated with the mill from 1805 to 1839.
1914–1918
Working ended
The mill worked until the First World War.
1924
Converted to residential accommodation
The mill was stripped of machinery and converted to residential accommodation in 1924.
Sources and records
Wikipedia article: King's Head Mill
Windmill World entry: Battle Windmill
Mills Archive catalogue entry: King's Mead Mill, Battle
Historic England National Heritage List entry for King's Mead Mill
Windmill World entry: Battle Windmill
Mills Archive catalogue entry: King's Mead Mill, Battle
Historic England National Heritage List entry for King's Mead Mill