Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade II* listed building. Main construction periods 1700 to 1926 Smock mill, dated as late C18th but moved to this site after that date. One of a pair of smock mills, the other being demolished in the early C20th.

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Monument Types

• WINDMILL (Post Medieval to Modern - 1700 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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Description from record TQ 93 NW 3:
TQ 9430 3521 Windmill (disused) [NAT] (1) Woodchurch Windmill, Grade 2*. One of a pair of mills known as 'the twins' and both brought here from another site. The Upper Mill dated from the early C18, was moved from Place Lane, ceased working in 1910 and was later demolished. This mill, the Lower Mill, probably dates from later in the C18, came from Susan's Hill and ceased working in 1926. Smock type. Ground floor tarred brick, above faced with weatherboarding. Sweeps without shutters. Boat-shaped cap damaged at time of re-survey (1976). Fantail intact. For full description see list). (2,3) TQ 943 353 Lower Mill, Woodchurch. The surviving mill of two similar smock mills. It was built in 1820 and cesed working in 1926. Some repairs were undertaken in the 1960's but the cost proved prohibitive.(4) A Trust was formed in 1979 to organise restoration and AshfordCouncil, who now own the mill, have started work. (5) Listed as a Scheduled Monument. (6,7) Lower Mill, Woodchurch was descheduled in 1978. (8)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
WOODCHURCH 1. 5272 Woodchurch Windmill TQ 9435 22/557 16.8.62. II*
2. One of a pair of Mills known as 'the twins' and both brought here from another site. The Upper Mill dated from the early C18, was moved from Place Lane, ceased working in 1910 and was later demolished. This Mill, the Lower Mill, probably dates from later in the C18, came from Susan's Hill and ceased working in 1926. Smock type. Ground floor tarred brick, above faced with weatherboarding. Sweeps without shutters. Boat-shaped cap damaged at time of re-survey (1976). Fantail intact. Listing NGR: TQ9430235215 (9)

One of a pair of mills known as "the twins". Both were brought here from another site. This, the lower mill, probably dates from the late 18th century and came from Susan's Hill in 1852. It ceased working in 1926. It is a smock mill and was used for cereal milling. The ground floor is tarred brick with weatherboarding above. The boat-shaped cap was damaged at the time of re-survey (1976) (10)

<1> OS 1:2500 1972 (OS Card Reference). SKE48214.

<2> DOE(HHR) Boro of Ashford Kent Aug 1979 147 (OS Card Reference). SKE40811.

<3> Bldgs of Eng W Kent and the Weald 1980 614 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE38026.

<4> Windmills of Eng 1976 232 (RJ Brown) (OS Card Reference). SKE51364.

<5> Windmills in Kent 1979 21 (BJ and JM Turpin) (OS Card Reference). SKE51342.

<6> The Windmills of Kent 1979 86-90 (J West) (OS Card Reference). SKE50552.

<7> Ind Arch SE Eng 1978 60 (AJ Haselfoot) (OS Card Reference). SKE44269.

<8> oral Mrs Wells HBMC 28.11.86 (OS Card Reference). SKE47978.

<9> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<10> A A Bryan, 1998, Windmill gazetteer for England (Monograph). SKE55552.

Sources and further reading