tower mill
function:Corn mill
- restored tower with cap and sails, but no machinery
Opening times - WARNING : may not be up to date
opening times
charges
website
notes
April onwardsWednesdays: 10:00-13:00
Saturdays and Sundays: 13:00-16:00
EXCEPT WHEN CLOSED FOR A PRIVATE EVENT (see 10 dates already planned in 2026 on website)
Rayleigh Town Council
Heritage Scheme
Tower Mill
Erected 1809 on the outer bailey of Castle Mount.
The last [of] 5 mills serving the town and at 68ft the highest in Essex.
Milling for 150 years, first by wind, then steam, diesel and electricity.
Sails removed 1906 as Arthur Crabb, miller was unable top operate a 24 hour day.
Static sail unit introduced in 1974.
Sometimes called smock mill due to loading skirt.
The ground floor now used as a small museum
Essex Life and Countryside magazine cover showing the tower mill at Rayleigh, issue Feb 2002 Essex Life and Countryside
Rayleigh windmill, Essex, 1907. The windmill is shown here whilst still operational: a carter delivers sacks of wheat. Rayleigh is a tower mill, dating back to the early 19th century. It was used for many years as a store with no machinery, cap or sails but was fully restored externally during the 1970s.
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