After his illuminating talk to us about how he set about rebuilding a windmill at Ockley in Surrey, a group of HMG members enthusiastically responded to Peter James’ offer to go and visit it to see how the interior could be developed for practical living, and of course to admire and appreciate the fulfilment of one man’s dream.  Whilst in the area, it was not too far to include a visit to Lowfield Heath windmill, which Peter had previously been involved with.

Well, except for it not having a full complement of sails yet – or are they known as sweeps in this area?  Anyway, it is hoped that one day there will eventually be a set of them which will complete this idyllic rural scene.

View into the cap

Back door, with obligatory millstone

The stairways are well lit and a couple of extra windows have been added, which become evident as the narrow stairs are climbed;  good service is provided by the steel stair rail sinuously snaking its way to each floor.  We all appreciated a breather on reaching each landing, taking a few moments to admire the skill in adapting each room shape for its particular purpose and marvelling at how everything was got up there!

Finally, the top floor was reached and we were treated to a view into the cap – but I think we all declined the chance to clamber up the metal ladder to scrutinise it – after all, look at all the stairs we’d just climbed! 

Peter has created a fine path from the mill through the garden area which comprises crazy patterning by utilising sections of mill stones from a tide mill at Totton in Hampshire.

You can read Peter’s fascinating account of his trials and tribulations in dealing with the many challenges he faced in building his lovely mill home on the Elmers Windmill website:  www.ockleywindmill.co.uk

Fortified by lunch at the nearby Cricketers Arms pub in Ockley, we made our way to Lowfield Heath Windmill in Charlwood.  This was the first windmill rebuild with which Peter had been heavily involved (in engineering and as lead volunteer), and he gave us a guided tour.

Lowfield Heath Windmill, a Grade 2 listed post mill, is one of only two remaining representative buildings of Lowfield Heath village life, the other being the church.  The mill site was destined for industrial development, as the rest of the village has been, being adjacent to Gatwick Airport.

The mill was removed from its Gatwick location – yes, from over the border in Sussex to its present site at Charlwood in Surrey.  Dismantled in 1987 it was rebuilt by a steadfast army of volunteers and mill professionals at Charlwood to complete condition, which has allowed it to retain a very authentic atmosphere.

An impressive list of benefactors had helped the removal and restoration including Surrey County Council and Dorking & Horley Rural District Council who paid for emergency work in January 1964 to fit a temporary roof and metal straps to the trestle.  SPAB funded further work between 1965 and 1971.  Then in 1984 members of the Surrey and Sussex Industrial History Societies formed an alliance with The Charlwood Society which eventually transformed into the Lowfield Heath Windmill Trust, with the aim of restoring the mill to full working order.  

There must have been many discouraging moments over the 12 years to the grand opening to the public in 1999, but what a super achievement.  The mill was blessed with a royal opening with HRH Princess Alexandra cutting the ribbon.

The Heritage Lottery Fund awarded the first ever grant to an English mill;  this was in 1997 and enabled engaging Dorothea Restorations to complete more work.  Lowfield Heath Windmill has regular opening days throughout the year – for which check out their website:  www.lowfieldheathwindmill.co.uk

Please remember that this windmill is now a private home and not open to the public.

A public footpath does run down from the main road and around the edge of the field near the mill, but there is no public vehicular access down the track from the main road.

HMG were privileged to be welcomed there.