Exploring Kent's Past

It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument details

Summary

Grade II listed building. Smock windmill with a brick roundhouse, built between 1778 and 1820. Now restored

Monument Types

• WINDMILL (Post Medieval to Modern - 1775 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

If you do not understand anything on this page please contact us.

Description from record TR 35 NW 93:
(TR 3220 5863) White Mill (Disused) [NAT] (1) TR 3220 5860 Windmill, Sandwich on the N side of the A257, 0.5 mile W of the town. A smock mill, built towards the end of the C18th, it ran until 1953, although it was not worked by wind after 1926. Most of themachinery is intact; it was repaired in the 1960's and will be completely restored by the local council. (2) The White Mill. C18th restored smock windmill, N of A257, 0.5 mile W of the town. (3) This preserved smock mill is one of the few mills in Kent where the sails are capable of turning in a wind. Built at least 150 years ago she was acquired in 1878, by Thomas Stanley whose family worked her until she finally ceased work in 1953. She last worked by wind in 1916 after which oil and finally a diesal engine took over. In 1961 Vincent Pargeter undertook considerable repair work, at first financing the work himself, but later with the assistance of grants from the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, the County Council and Sandwich Borough Council. The mill was acquired in 1968 by the BoroughCouncil which has, with the aid of a local building firm, been carrying out further restoration work. (4) (General historical account of its' use and preservation). It is presently fitted with four double-shuttered spring sweeps, two of which have unusual half-bow springs. Two sweeps are to be replaced shortly, and when this is done the mill should be able to idle round in a suitable wind. The fantail cannot work at the moment as repairs are needed to the curb. Most machinery remains including two pairs of stones, governors and a flour dresser. (5) (General historical account of the history of White Mill). It would appear that the present mill was constructed at a date between approximately 1778 and 1820. (6) Ash Road (N side) The White Windmill. Grade II. Smock type, date not known "Roundhouse" of brick with wooden partition wall erected around it and platform over. Remainder of White Mill white weather-boarded. Beehive cap. 4 restored with shutters intact. Fantail intact. (7)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
1. 5275 ASH ROAD (North Side)
The White Windmill TR 3258 5/197 19.5.50.
II
2. Smock type, date not known "Roundhouse" of brick with wooden partiion wall erected around it and platform over. Remainder of mill white weather-boarded. Beehive cap. 4 restored with shutters intact. Fantail intact.
Listing NGR: TR3221458646 (8)

additional references (9-10)

<1> OS 1:2500 1969 (OS Card Reference). SKE48211.

<2> Ind Arch of SE Eng 1978 53 (AJ Haselfoot) (OS Card Reference). SKE44242.

<3> The Nat Tr Guide to our Ind Past 1983 207 (A Burton) (OS Card Reference). SKE50436.

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

<5> Windmills of Kent 1979 17 (BJ and JM Turpin) (OS Card Reference). SKE51375.

<6> The Windmills of Kent 1979 68-71 (J West) (OS Card Reference). SKE50550.

<7> DOE(HHR)Dist of Dover 1976 1 (OS Card Reference). SKE41317.

<8> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<9> Finch W.C., 1933, Watermills & windmills: A historical survey of their rise, decline and fall as portrayed by those of Kent (Monograph). SKE16113.

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

Sources and further reading