New Mill, Smock mill in Willesborough, England
New Mill is a smock mill in Willesborough with a brick base and four stories of white weatherboarded walls in classic design. The mill operates with four patent sails that drive four pairs of millstones, powered by a restored Hornsby engine.
John Hill built this mill in 1869 to replace an earlier structure on the site. The Cornes family ran it continuously until the First World War, after which it was later restored and adapted for new uses.
The museum inside the complex displays historical bicycles and motorcycles that were made by Norman Cycles, a company based in Ashford. These machines show how the town was known for engineering and manufacturing over many decades.
You can visit and see how the mill works with its traditional machinery and mechanisms on display. Freshly ground wholemeal flour produced using the restored engine is available for purchase during your visit.
The mill uses both wind sails and a fuel-powered Hornsby engine, allowing it to operate even when wind is insufficient. This hybrid approach solved the practical problem of keeping production steady regardless of weather conditions.
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