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Chillenden
Windmill
TR268543 - in the fields north of Chillenden 4km SW of
Sandwich.
Chillenden nr. Canterbury, Kent CT3 1PR.
An open trestle post mill built in 1868 - one of the last
of this type to be built in the country, and standing on a
very exposed site where mills have stood for around 500
years. Owned by Kent County Council. Books, postcards &
gifts available. 1998 prices: Adults 50p, Children (5+) 25p.
Parties by appointment (01304) 840646
A
Kent County Council windmill
Sundays and Bank Holidays May to September 2.00 - 4.30
pm.
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Drapers
Windmill, Margate
TR363701 - in St. Peter's Footpath, College Road, Margate
off the A255 Margate-Broadstairs road.
This black smock windmill, built in 1845 by Canterbury
millwright John Holman, was powered by wind until 1916, and
by gas-engine until 1933. Owned by Kent County Council, it
was restored to working order by Drapers Windmill Trust
1965-75. Museum, souvenirs available. Phone to check (01843)
291696. Schools and groups welcome all year by appointment -
illustrated talks (01843) 226227.
A
Kent County Council windmill
Open Easter Sunday, then Sundays from May to end
September. 2.30 pm - 5 pm
Also Thursdays in July & August 6.30 pm - 8 pm
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Haxted
Watermill, Edenbridge
Haxted Rd, Edenbridge
Working watermill situated in Eden Valley - small country
mill dating from 1740. Highly regarded adjacent seafood and
game restaurant with alfresco dining overlooking the
millpond.
Mill opening: Easter - end Sept 10am - 3pm.
Winter Sundays only 10am - 2pm
closed mid-Dec to mid-Jan.
Tel: 01732-862914 - Fax: 01732-865705
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More on Haxted
Watermill's website - including
full menus
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Herne
Windmill
TRI85665 - off Mill Lane, Herne. From the A291 (Herne
Bay-Canterbury road) turn into School Lane on reaching Herne
village.
Mill Lane, Herne Bay, Kent.
A typical Kentish smock mill with most of its original
machinery. It was restored to working order in 1986 and will
be undergoing more works. Visit the museum (new displays
inside) and gift shop. Open on National Mills Weekend 11 am
- 5 pm, and to schools and parties by appointment, phone
(01227) 361326 or 374539.
A
Kent County Council windmill
1998 prices: Adults £l Children 25p.
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Hythe
Watermill TRI67350
Last milled commercially in 1932. Weather boarded Corn
mill built 1773, although recorded earlier, and updated and
enlarged in 1880. Now restored to partial working order with
original 19th century machinery and 8m approx. diameter
water wheel. Mills occasionally. Visitors welcome by
appointment or on open days. Extensive picturesque gardens
and waterfall. Phone: (01303)265032 or (01303)269900.
May be visited on National Mills Weekend 2.30 - 5 pm.
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Meopham
Windmill
TQ639652 - Meopham Green, Meopham near Gravesend.
Black smock mill, built in 1821 and worked until 1927.
Unusual in being six-sided. Owned by Kent County Council,
restored as a working windmill and museum with sweeps and
fan tail renewed. Original machinery almost complete. Picnic
site, souvenirs. General enquiries (01474) 812465 Group
bookings (01474) 813218
A
Kent County Council windmill
1998 prices: Adults 70p Children 30p
Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays May to end of September
2.30-4.30 pm.
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Periwinkle
Mill - Milton Regis, Sittingbourne
The first phase of a project to restore/ rebuild a
400-year-old watermill based on careful recording of what
remained on the site after demolition in 1968. The
breast-shot waterwheel and main gearing are not covered, and
can be seen from the street . They are in working condition
but the Periwinkle stream has dried up due to water
extraction for the local paper industry. It is hoped to run
the wheel using a recirculating pump. Other future
developments planned include a covering building and
interpretation centre.
Court Hall is a nearby museum in Milton Regis High Street
- open on Saturdays in summer. It houses local history
displays, including the history of watermills and windmills
in the area.
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Sarre
Windmill
TR259651 - situated off the A253 at Sarre, near the
junction with the A28 Canterbury-Margate road.
This commercially working typical Kentish smock mill is
now fully restored. The mill has been grinding by wind power
since 1991 after a 70 year break.
The mill was built in 1820 by the Canterbury millwright
John Holman. In 1854 its height was increased by
approximately nine feet, achieved by jacking up the wooden
tower structure and building supporting brickwork in the
gap. A steam engine was installed for auxiliary power in
1861, involving the construction of an engine room, boiler
house and brick chimney stack as tall as the mill.
As technology progressed the steam engine was replaced in
1907 by a gas engine with its own gas producer plant. In the
early 1920s the mill ceased working by wind power - the
sails removed and sold. Trading stopped for a period between
the wars, then resuming for a short time until 1940 when
after 120 years the millstones ground to a final halt. In an
advanced state of decay the cap was removed in 1958 and the
mill tower boarded up and left to the mercy of the
elements.
The semi-derelict mill tower was purchased by the Hobbs
family in 1985. Reconstruction work began in earnest in 1986
and after much effort and deliberation was completed in 1991
- the new sails turning for the first time on June 12th. The
mill is equipped with one set of Derbyshire Peak stones and
one set of French Burrs. Most of the original machinery
survives and is in use today. Sarre Mill is now one of the
few remaining commercially worked windmills of England. It
is a member of the Traditional CornMillers Guild and
produces a range of stoneground flours.
Ground floor gift-shop, cider production, bakery and a
tea-room serving refreshments. Vintage / steam farm
machinery and farm animals & birds, children's adventure
play area, Special events - ring for details. (01843)
847573.
1998 prices: Adults £2, OAPs £l.50, Children
£l.00.
Open 7 days a week all year except Christmas. 10 am -
4.00 pm.
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Shirley
Windmill, Croydon
Just off A232, Post Mill Close, This Tower mill just
outside Kent, owned by London Borough of Croydon is now open
regularly. Restoration continues.
The tower mill was built in 1854 by Richard Alwen after a
fire burnt the first mill on the site - built by his
grandfather William Alwen in 1808. Later, hit by competition
from large roller mills, the mill was closed in 1893 by its
then owner, Alfred Rayson. The abandoned mill deteriorated
over the years, being struck by lightning in 1899 and 1906.
But some restoration was done in 1927 by George Givan who
had purchased Shirley Court and the mill. In 1951 the mill
and land were acquired by the Croydon Corporation from
Mrs Annie Givan. The mill was narrowly saved from demolition
when a new school was built on the adjoining site.
After years of tentative discussions about the windmill
becoming a museum, the London Borough of Croydon received a
grant of £218,100 from the Heritage Lottery Fund in
1996. This helped restore the mill to working order and open
it to the public. Inside, touch screen interactives,
information panels and hands-on displays give an educational
experience for school parties, and an enjoyable day out for
the general public.
For group bookings phone 0181- 656 6037. Open National
Mills Weekend in May, Heritage Open Days in September and
the first Sunday of the month June to October. 2 - 5pm with
guided tours; free admission, refreshments and souvenirs
available; no parking on site. Check open times with
Croydon Tourist Information Centre (0181 - 253 1009).
More
information on London Borough of Croydon's Heritage
website
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Stelling
Minnis Windmill
TR 146465 - in Mill Lane, Stelling Minnis off the B2068
Canterbury-Hythe road.
Black smock mill built in 1866 which worked until 1970
when restoration by Kent County Council began. The 1912
Ruston and Hornsby oil engine powers the mill for grinding
demonstrations. Display of original mill maintenance tools.
Group bookings phone (01 227) 709635 or 709550.
A
Kent County Council windmill
1998 prices: adults 50p, children 25p.
Open Sundays - Easter to end of September; 2 - 5 pm.
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Stocks
Mill, Wittersham.
T0913273 - between Tenterden and Rye, 1 mile from
Wittersham village on the B2082.
The tallest post mill in Kent, built in 1781. Situated in
the grounds of Stocks Mill House. Bought and restored in
1980 by Kent County Council , with recent repainting and
renovation of floors and steps. It contains an exhibition of
old maps and photographs. Gift shop. School and group visits
by arrangement (01797) 270491
A
Kent County Council windmill
1998 prices: adults £1.00, children 50p, school
groups free.
Open Sundays from May to September; also Easter Sunday
and all Bank Holidays: 2.30pm - 5 pm.
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Swanton
Watermill, Lower Mersham, Near Ashford.
TRO39388
A weather boarded watermill in full working order,
grinding organic wholemeal flour which is for sale. Visit
the milling museum and extensive gardens. Groups by
appointment (01233 720223)
Open Saturdays, Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays from
April - October. 2 - 6 pm
National Mills Weekend 10.30 - 6 pm.
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Union
Windmill, Cranbrook
TQ779359 - in the centre of Cranbrook, free parking at
the bottom of The Hill.
Built in 1814, this mill is the tallest working smock
windmill in England.
It grinds corn by wind, to produce Wholemeal flour which
is for sale in the gift shop. Volunteers demonstrate the
mill's machinery and answer visitors' questions. No entrance
fee - donations welcome. For details phone (01580) 712984 or
712256 Saturdays and Bank Holiday Mondays, April to end of
September,
A
Kent County Council windmill
Sundays, mid July - end August. 2.30 pm - 5 pm.
See Cranbrook Union Mill's website at:
http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/tonysing/
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West
Kingsdown Windmill
TQ582622 - off A20 between Wrotham and Framlingham.
Mill House, West Kingstown, Kent TN13 2RY.
Large smock mill originally built at Farningham c.1800
and moved to its present site in 1880. Last worked 1928.
Bought by Kent County Council and restored 1958-60. The mill
is presently undergoing repair work and may be visited by
appointment only. Phone (01843) 852357.
A
Kent County Council windmill
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White
Mill and Museum, Sandwich. 
TR323587 - on the A257 between Sandwich and the by-pass,
on the road to Canterbury.
A smock mill built c.1760 which retains its original
wooden machinery and was restored between 1960 & 1981 by
millwright Vincent Pargeter. The Millers Cottage and all out
buildings house the domestic and agricultural Folk Museum.
Display of photos of 19th century life.
(01304) 612076
Open Sundays & Bank Holidays
Easter to Mid September. 2.30 pm - 5.30 pm.
Sunday & Fridays mornings Jan to end of Nov.10 am - 12
pm
National Mills Weekend [Sun only] 10 am - 5.30
pm.
More
information on the White Mill's website
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Willesborough
Windmill, Ashford.
TRO32422 - on the east side of Ashford just south of the
M20 junction 10.
Mill Lane, Willesborough, ASHFORD, Kent TN24 0NY.
This white smock mill was built in 1869 on a two storey
red brick base with attached miller's cottage, restored by
Ashford Borough Council in 1991 - winning a "Europa Nostra"
award. It is being developed as the centrepiece of an
Industrial Heritage Centre.
It is one of Kent's largest windmills: its sweeps have
"patent" type shutters instead of canvas and sails, and
produced enough power to turn four sets of mill stones as
well as the maize and oats crushing/cutting machines. This
mill replaced a smaller one of unknown age on the same
site.
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In 1872 a steam engine with a tall chimney was added to
supplement wind-power. The steam engine and chimney were
removed in 1911, and replaced by a gas-oil engine which was
cheaper to run. In 1938 this in turn was replaced by an 25hp
electric motor. Wind power was no longer used, and the mill
suffered the common fate of producing mainly animal feed,
grinding peas and beans, and crushing oats and maize. The
mill closed completely in the 1950's and was used for
storage and then as a home.
Now restored, the mill has a tea and gift shop, and
grinding takes place when the wind is suitable. For school-
and group bookings phone (01233) 661866.
Open Easter to mid-October on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank
Holiday Mondays. 2.00-5.00 pm.
Special events on weekends phone for details.
More information
on Willesborough Windmill's website
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Woodchurch
WindmilI
TQ943354 - take the footpath between the "Bonny Cravat"
and "Six Bells" pubs.
A white smock mill which worked until 1926. The mill has
been completely rebuilt to house the original machinery,
which is now in working order.
Display of photos of the mill's history and
restoration.
Open Sundays and Bank Holidays from Easter to end
September. 2.30 - 4.30 pm
Other times by appointment. (01233) 860043.
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We acknowledge information from Kent
County Council, mill owners and support groups and the Kent
Mills Group. Whilst every attempt is made to ensure the
accuracy of the information printed here, the publishers
cannot be held responsible for any errors omissions or
subsequent alterations to the information shown.
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Windmills on my Mind: guide to the windmills
owned by Kent County Council and opened to the public by
voluntary groups - http://www.kentwindmills.co.uk
