Bocking Windmill

Bocking Windmill is a five-story post mill standing roughly 43 feet (13 meters) high and equipped with four sails - two fixed and two spring-loaded. Inside sits a substantial brick roundhouse containing original gearing systems and two pairs of millstones that wind power once drove.

The mill began operations in 1721 and was relocated about 60 meters up the hillside to its present location in 1829. This move was necessary to protect it from flooding and to take advantage of stronger wind conditions at higher elevation.

The mill demonstrates milling methods that were central to the local community's daily working life for generations. You can see how the machinery operated and understand the labor involved in grain processing.

Access spreads across multiple levels, so sturdy footwear and reasonable fitness help with navigation. Guided tours explain how the machinery functioned while you climb through the different floors and examine the original equipment.

The mill features spring sails, an invention that allowed the operator to better manage wind force when conditions were too strong or too weak. This spring-sail system is uncommon today and makes this mill a valuable example of how milling technology improved over time.