Cranbrook Union
Mill
Cranbrook, Kent
| The Union Windmill
is a smock mill built in 1814. It stands at the highest point
overlooking the town of Cranbrook.
The mill has recently undergone major
renovations and is in excellent working order. Wind permitting, wheat is ground
and visitors can purchase wholemeal flour.
It was built by the Cranbrook millwright,
James Humphrey, in 1814 for Mary Dobell , just before the end of the Napoleonic
Wars, to set up her son, Henry, in business. After Napoleon was defeated in
1815, there was a great depression in England and many businesses went into
bankruptcy, including Henry Dobell's in 1819. As a result, it was conveyed to
and operated by a union of creditors, local farmers and businessmen, hence the
name, "Union Mill".
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From Cranbrook High
Street
by Colin Smith
 1999 |
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Click on
the above image to see a larger copy |
| When
Mary Dobell's debts had been paid off, it was sold to John Russell in 1832
and remained in the Russell family until the death of his great grandson,
another John Russell, in the 1950's.
Originally the mill had common sweeps with canvas to catch the wind. The cap was turned manually by
a chain and Y-wheel. In 1840 the Russells decided to modernise the
mill, they employed the millwrights Medhurst of Lewes to fit a new iron windshaft and gearwork, as
well as the new style Cubitt's
patent sweeps. They also employed Warrens, the millwrights of Hawkhurst, to
fit a fantail.
It is said to be the second tallest surviving
windmill in the British Isles, measuring 72 feet to the top of the cap. It is
the tallest surviving smock mill, with an eight-sided three-storey brick base
and a four-storey, fixed wooden tower above that, clad in white painted
weather-board. It has four sails (called sweeps) with patent shutters and a
fantail which keeps the sweeps facing into the wind at all times.
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Cranbrook Windmill |
Further information Grid
Planning Grid
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Location: |
Cranbrook Union
Mill, Cranbrook, Kent |
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Grid Reference: |
TQ 779359 |
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Getting there: |
Cranbrook is just off
the A229 which runs North/South from Maidstone to Hastings.
The A262 runs East/West between Tunbridge Wells and Tenterden
and passes just north of Cranbrook. |
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Access: |
In the centre of
Cranbrook, on the hill, in Benenden Road. |
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Parking: |
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Facilities: |
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Things To Do,
See and Photograph: |
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What to take: |
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Nature highlights: |
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Address: |
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Postcode: |
TN17 3AH |
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Telephone: |
Wynn Tremenheere,
01580 712984.
Party bookings: Peggy Fryer, 01580 712256. |
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Opening times: |
April to
September
see dates etc
Saturdays & Bank Holiday Mondays, 14.30 - 17.00.
Easter weekend
& National Mills Weekend, both days.
May, July & August, also Sundays.
Mid-July to August, also Wednesdays, 14.30 - 17.00. |
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Charges: |
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Photo Restrictions: |
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Other Restrictions: |
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Special Needs Access: |
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Special Needs Facilities: |
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Children Facilities: |
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Dogs Allowed: |
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CIN Page Ref: |
cranbrook |
Date Updated: 05/2008 |
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