Sarre Windmill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sarre Windmill |
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| Origin | |
| Grid reference | TR 259 651 |
| Coordinates | 51°20′23″N 1°14′35″E / 51.33972°N 1.24306°E |
| Operator(s) | Hobbs (?–2011) Unknown (2011–) |
| Year built | 1821 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill Holiday Let (2011–) |
| Type | Smock mill |
| Storeys | Three-storey smock |
| Base storeys | Two-storey base |
| Smock sides | Eight-sided |
| No. of sails | Four |
| Type of sails | Double Patent sails |
| Windshaft | Cast iron |
| Winding | Fantail |
| Fantail blades | Six bladed |
| Auxiliary power | Steam engine 1861–1920 Gas engine 1920–1940 |
| No. of pairs of millstones | Two pairs |
| Other information | The first windmill in Kent to have a steam engine as auxiliary power. |
Sarre Windmill is a special type of windmill in Sarre, Kent, England. It was built way back in 1820 and is considered a 'Grade II listed building,' which means it's an important historical site. This windmill used to grind corn and was even restored to work again, but now it's closed.
Contents
The Story of Sarre Windmill
Sarre Windmill was built in 1820 by a skilled builder named John Holman from Canterbury. Some people thought it was moved from a nearby village called Monkton. However, it's more likely that some parts or machinery from the Monkton mill were used to build Sarre Windmill. It even appeared on old maps from the 1800s!
Changes Over Time
When it was first built, Sarre Windmill had a single-storey brick base. But in 1856, the base was made taller, reaching about 4.3 meters (14 feet) high, by adding another storey underneath.
Sarre Windmill was also the first windmill in Kent to use a steam engine to help it work. This powerful engine was added in 1861. The windmill continued to use wind power until 1920. At that time, its large sails were taken down and moved to another famous windmill called the Union Mill in Cranbrook. A gas engine was then put in place at Sarre.
The mill kept working for a few more years with the gas engine. However, by the early 1930s, it stopped grinding corn. It was started up again in the late 1930s, still using the gas engine. But in 1940, the engine was damaged by frost during a very cold winter, and the mill stopped working for good.
A Wartime Role and Restoration
During the Second World War, Sarre Windmill was used as a lookout point. After the war, it remained in poor condition until 1986. That's when work began to restore it, bringing it back to its former glory. The restoration was finished in 1991. As of July 2025, the windmill is currently closed.
How Sarre Windmill Works
Sarre Windmill is a type of mill called a "smock mill." It has three main levels on top of a two-storey brick base. It has four large "double patent sails" that catch the wind. These sails are connected to a strong cast-iron rod called a windshaft.
Inside the Mill
The mill uses a special part called a fantail to turn the top of the mill so its sails always face the wind. Inside, a large "Brake Wheel" (made of iron arms and a wooden rim) helps power the mill. This wheel turns other gears, including a cast-iron "Wallower" and a "Great Spur Wheel," also made of cast iron. These gears work together to turn two pairs of millstones, which grind the corn from above.
Who Ran the Mill?
Many people worked at Sarre Windmill over the years, grinding corn for the community. Here are some of the millers:
- Thomas Holman (1845 - 1862)
- George Thomas Steddy (1878)
- Ebenezer Wood (1880 - 1883)
- Hogben
- Gambrill (until 1940)
- Malcolm Hobbs (from 1991)
- Robert Hobbs (from 1991)
