1815
Smock mill built
Staplecross Mill was built as a smock mill at Staplecross, Ewhurst.
Site overview
Staplecross Mill was a smock mill on Bodiam Road at Staplecross in the parish of Ewhurst, East Sussex. It was built in 1815 and worked as a wind-powered mill until 1916. The standing smock mill survived into the twentieth century but was demolished in 1951.
Its base was converted into a house. The windshaft from the demolished mill was later used in the restoration of Blackdown Mill at Punnetts Town.
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
Staplecross Mill was built in 1815 at Staplecross, Ewhurst, on Bodiam Road. It was a smock mill and formed one of the wind-powered corn mills of the Rother district. The mill continued working until 1916.
Although its industrial use had ended, the smock structure remained standing into the twentieth century and was still present in the early 1930s. The mill was demolished in 1951. After demolition, the base was converted into a house, leaving the lower part as the principal survival of the site.
The windshaft from Staplecross Mill was reused in the post-war restoration of Blackdown Mill at Punnetts Town.
Timeline
1916
Milling ceased
The mill ceased working in 1916.
1951
Smock mill demolished
The smock mill was demolished in 1951.
1951
Base converted
The base was converted into a house after the demolition of the mill.
1951
Windshaft reused
The windshaft from Staplecross Mill was used in the restoration of Blackdown Mill at Punnetts Town.
Sources and records
Historic England Archive entry: Staplecross Smock Mill
Mills Archive catalogue entry
Mills Archive product entry
List of windmills in East Sussex
Blackdown Mill history
Mills Archive catalogue entry
Mills Archive product entry
List of windmills in East Sussex
Blackdown Mill history