Beacon Mill, Smock mill in Benenden, England
Beacon Mill is an eight-sided wooden structure in Benenden with a cast iron windshaft and four sails for grain grinding. The mill contained three pairs of millstones that processed grain brought by local farmers.
Built in the early 1800s, the mill operated successfully until 1923, serving the grain processing needs of the local area for over a century. The structure was later recognized as historically important and received Grade II listing status.
The mill served as a gathering point where local farmers brought their grain and learned about milling techniques from skilled operators. It represented the practical knowledge that rural communities developed to sustain their livelihoods.
The mill no longer operates but can be viewed from outside as a protected historical structure in the village. Access to the interior is not available to the public, so plan to see it from the surrounding area.
The mill gets its name from its distinctive shape that resembles a smock or coat worn by workers, which describes this particular type of wooden mill. Such structures were common throughout the region and became recognizable landmarks in the rural landscape.
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