Waterhall Mill

Waterhall Mill is a four-story brick tower mill in Westdene with a domed top rising about 40 feet (12 meters) high. It features a five-bladed fantail and four spring-loaded patent sails that were used to harness wind power for grinding grain.

James Holloway of Shoreham built this mill in 1885, making it the last brick windmill of its type constructed in Sussex. After stopping grain production in 1924, it served as a Home Guard observation post during the Second World War.

This mill represents an important part of Sussex's tradition of grain milling, with two internal staircases that likely came from Saint Paul's Cathedral in London. These reused materials connect the building to London's religious heritage and show how craftspeople repurposed fine elements in their local work.

The mill sits on the slopes of Coney Hill and can be easily viewed from outside. Since it became a private residence in 1964, visitors can only see the exterior and its preserved features from the surrounding area.

The machinery inside remains substantially intact despite decades of not being used for grinding grain. This preserved mechanical system offers a rare view of late 1800s milling technology that few mills today can still show.

Location: Brighton and Hove

GPS coordinates: 50.86281,-0.16637

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:10