Rock Mill, Grade II listed windmill in Washington, England
Rock Mill is a stone windmill in Washington built on a single-story foundation with four floors above. Inside are three pairs of millstones and four working sails that demonstrate the original milling machinery.
Built in 1823, the mill ground grain until World War I brought milling operations to an end. In 1919 it was converted into a residential space while keeping the machinery visible inside.
Composer John Ireland made this converted mill his home from 1953 to 1962, connecting the place to British musical history. His residence turned the former mill into a space linked with artistic creation.
The building sits on slightly raised ground in Washington and can be approached from street level. The stone structure and four floors require care when entering and exploring the interior spaces.
A beehive-shaped cap sits atop the building, controlled by a fantail system that automatically follows wind direction. This early 19th century engineering approach reveals how millers solved practical design challenges.
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