Windmill from 1800s gets heritage status upgrade

Draper's Windmill in Margate has been upgraded to Grade II* status by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

A 19th Century windmill in Margate has been upgraded to Grade II* status, meaning it now joins the ranks of Kent's most significant historical buildings.

Draper's Windmill is the only survivor of three windmills built along St Peter's Footpath in Dane Valley.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) now recognises the building's significance as a smock mill with rare surviving internal machinery, so has revised its entry on the National Heritage List for England.

Tim Horne, listing adviser at Historic England, said: "Upgrading Draper's Windmill to Grade II* recognises the building as a particularly important survivor of Kent's rural past."

A photo of Draper's Windmill from 1885

The mill had been Grade II listed since 1973.

Mr Horne added it was "unusual" for a 19th Century windmill to survive this well, with much of its original machinery still working.

He said the Grade II* listing reflected the "increasing rarity" of operational historical mills across England.

With its elevated status, the mill is now in the same category as the 1930s Dreamland Cinema on Margate seafront and the Clock House at Ramsgate's Royal Harbour.

Draper's Windmill is on St Peter's Footpath in Dane Valley, Margate

Anny Squire, vice chairperson at Draper's Windmill Trust, said they were "delighted" by the news.

"This new listing gives the whole site the status it deserves for now and the future," she added.

According to Historic England, the windmill was built about 1843, probably by the millwright John Holman of Canterbury.

It has an engine house, workshop and cart shed, and was powered by wind, steam and gas.

Draper's Windmill was threatened with demolition in 1965 but saved by volunteers from the Draper's Windmill Trust

The other two windmills built alongside Draper's Windmill, Little Draper's Mill and The Pumper, were demolished by the early 20th Century.

Draper's Windmill Trust was threatened with demolition in 1965, and the Draper's Windmill Trust was then founded to save and preserve the mill.

It is now fully restored to working condition by the trust along with owners Kent County Council.

According to Historic England, there are more than 370,000 entries for listed buildings.

The organisation said Grade II* buildings were particularly important buildings of more than special interest, with about 5.8% of all listed buildings Grade II*.