Herne Windmill, Smock windmill in Herne, Kent, England
The Herne Windmill is a black smock tower in Kent with three pairs of millstones mounted on a two-storey brick base. Four double patent sails are fixed to a cast-iron windshaft to capture wind power.
The mill was built in 1789 by John Holman and is registered as a Grade I listed building. It used wind power for its work until 1952, when it switched to an electric motor.
The Friends of Herne Mill maintain the structure as a testament to traditional milling techniques, offering demonstrations and educational displays in the Wootton Room.
The mill's interior opens on Sundays and bank holidays from spring through early autumn for visitors to explore. It helps to check opening times ahead of your visit and allow time to climb through all the levels.
The mill serves as a navigation landmark for sailors and can be spotted from the Thames Estuary and surrounding roads. Its distinctive black shape makes it a reliable reference point for finding one's way across this flat landscape.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
