The two windmills at Clayton on the top of the South Downs, set above the main London-Brighton…read moreroad, are a familiar sight to visitors coming to Brighton on the A273 from Hassocks. At one time, there were many more windmills situated along the South Downs, close to the communities of both the Weald and the coast, taking advantage of the strong breezes that sweep up from the sea.
There are references to a windmill close to the present site from 1765, when a mill known as the Duncton Mill was erected. The windmill currently known as Jill was built in 1821 on a site closer to Brighton, and re-erected on the present site in the early 1850's when the original land was wanted for redevelopment. In the 1860's, Duncton mill was dismantled, and Jack was built, using an internal brick tower, and a rotating cap which turned to face the wind.
The windmills fell into disuse in the early 20th century, although they were retained for other purposes, including a holiday cottage. However, their owners kept the mills in good repair, and even planted a garden around them. It is said that the structure of the windmills provided the inspiration for the rotating turrets later used on battleships. In 1973, the mills became the set for the film 'The Black Windmill', starring Michael Caine, Donald Pleasance, Janet Suzman and Joss Ackland.
To-day, Jack remains in private ownership, while Jill has been bought and restored to full working order by the Jack and Jill Windmills Society. Jill is used to produce local, organic wholemeal flour, and is open to the public to visit on Sunday afternoons May to September. (The photograph shows Jill without two of the 'sweeps' or sails, which are being refurbished.) As well as guided tours, the site provides stupendous views over the Sussex Weald.
The site has a car park (signposted off the A273 between Pycombe and Hassocks), and a small shop and tea-shop. Admission free.