Bembridge Windmill Explained

Bembridge Windmill
Name Of Mill:Knowle Mill
Gbgridref:SZ 6398 8747
Coordinates:50.6834°N -1.0958°W
Operator:National Trust
Built:c1700
Purpose:Corn mill
Type:Tower mill
Storeys:Four storeys
Sail Number:Four sails
Sail Type:Common sails
Winding:Hand winded by chain and wheel
Pairs Of Millstones:Two pairs
Other:The only remaining windmill on the Isle of Wight
Embed:yes
Designation1:Grade I
Designation1 Date:16 April 1953
Designation1 Number:1034383

Knowle Mill, better known today as Bembridge Windmill, is a Grade I listed, preserved tower mill at Bembridge, Isle of Wight, England.

History

Bembridge Mill was built c. 1700. It was painted by Turner in 1795. The mill was working by wind until 1913, having only been used for grinding animal feed after 1897. The mill was restored in 1935 and again in 1959, the latter restoration being funded by public subscription.[1] In 1962 the mill was taken over by the National Trust. It has been restored and is open to the public. New sails were fitted to the mill in March 2021.[2]

Description

Bembridge Mill is a four-storey tower mill with a boat-shaped cap, which is winded by chain and wheel. It has four Common sails. The two pairs of millstones are driven underdrift.[3]

Public access

Bembridge Windmill is open to the public between March and November, from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm daily. For more information please visit the National trust website.[4]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: BEMBRIDGE WINDMILL . https://archive.today/20121224011419/http://pastscape.english-heritage.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=461928%23aRt . dead . 24 December 2012 . English Heritage . 7 June 2009 .
  2. Web site: Windmill immortalised by Turner returns to glory on Isle of Wight . BBC News Online . 10 March 2021 . 14 March 2021 .
  3. Book: Monica. Ellis. 1978. Water and Wind Mills in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. 60. Southampton University Industrial Archaeology Group. Southampton. 0-905280-01-6.
  4. Web site: Opening hours . National Trust . 11 October 2012.