Sarre Windmill, Smock mill in Sarre, England.
Sarre Windmill is a white smock mill built on a two-story brick foundation, with the main wooden structure rising above in an octagonal shape. It features four double patent sails attached to a cast iron shaft and a fantail mechanism for automatic wind orientation.
The mill was built in 1820 by Canterbury millwright John Holman and underwent major reconstruction in 1856 when its base was raised and strengthened. This modification reflected changing needs and technical improvements in milling technology during that period.
The mill represents how wind power supported grain processing and rural life in Kent for many decades. Walking around it today, you can sense the connection between the local landscape and the work that once happened here.
The mill sits at the junction of Ramsgate Road and the A28 in Kent, making it easy to spot from the road. The surrounding countryside offers walking paths and the chance to explore the rural landscape on foot.
In 1861 this mill became the first in Kent to use a steam engine alongside wind power for milling operations. This hybrid approach shows how millers adapted to new technology while keeping their traditional windmill structures.
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