A short distance through the gate and across the meadow is the harbourside village of Langstone, including its distinctive water mill and windmill.
The black windmill is a prominent feature of the landscape, with its tarred outer skin as protection from the full force of coastal weather. This was essential when the Mill was surrounded by solid ice in Langstone Harbour in the 1895 ‘Great Freeze’.
The mill was built in the early 1800s and sits across a creek that provided water power to power the mill wheel. The attached mill store was built in the 1730s on brick piers. Barges moored near to the Mill collected flour for transportation along the coast
The old mill was a working mill until WW2. In 1939, it was converted to residential accommodation, with the tower tarred and a new cap constructed.
Did You Know?
The acclaimed watercolour artist Flora Twort (1893-1985) lived and painted at the mill. Nevil Shute, the acclaimed novelist, was also a frequent visitor.
Also on the foreshore is The Royal Oak which has been a licensed pub since at least 1754.
- Find out more about the 1895 England great freeze – click here
- Find out more about The Royal Oak Langstone – click here