St Martin's Mill, Tower mill in Canterbury, England
St Martin's Mill is a four-story brick structure with a Kentish-style cap and cast iron windshaft that represents a typical tower mill design from the early 19th century. The building showcases the robust masonry and mechanical elements typical of grain mills built during this period.
The mill was built in 1817 as part of Canterbury's industrial infrastructure for grain processing. It continued operating until 1890, when commercial milling ceased and the building was converted to residential use.
The mill once stood at the center of the town's grain industry, serving local bakers and households with flour for generations. Walking past it today, you can sense how such industrial buildings shaped daily life in Canterbury.
The mill sits on Windmill Close in the heart of Canterbury, surrounded by other historical buildings worth seeing. Keep in mind it is now a private residence, so viewing is limited to the exterior from the street.
A major storm in 1987 tore away the mill's four sails, which have never been replaced since then. This accident left the building with a distinctive appearance that makes it instantly recognizable today.
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