Windmill Hill Mill, Herstmonceux

Windmill Hill Mill is a post mill with a brick roundhouse in Herstmonceux, East Sussex. The structure stands about 50 feet tall and features four patent sails mounted on a cast-iron windshaft above its two-story base.

William Medhurst built this mill in 1814, and wind power drove its operations initially. In 1893 the mill transitioned to steam-powered mechanisms.

The mill shows traditional grain-grinding methods that visitors can explore in the exhibition spaces today. These techniques reveal how local farming communities depended on milling for their livelihood.

The mill opens to visitors from Easter through October on specific days, allowing you to explore the interior roundhouse. The site is accessible and the exhibitions clearly explain how the milling machinery worked.

The mill features a Hammond Patent Sweep Governor installed in 1876, an innovative system for controlling milling speed. This device automatically adjusted the sail position to match changing wind conditions.

Location: Herstmonceux

GPS coordinates: 50.88600,0.34200

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:43