Draper mill - Margate

 

I have wanted to visit this windmill for a long time after seeing a friend of mine go there. Recently, I happened to be in Margate, so I decided to check out the mill. We parked and walked over to it, and to my surprise, admission was free since it was Heritage Open Day. Our guide, who took us around the mill, was extremely lovely and informative when explaining things to us about what was happening in the mill.

This is an old smock mill that is grade II listed, and it was built in 1845. Back in 1965, the mill faced demolition threats. It was used to grind flour, and when it was built, it was one of three mills constructed in the area. Draper Mill relied on wind power until 1916, after which it used a gas engine until 1930. In 1968, Kent County Council restored the mill between 1969 and 1975.

Dickens house - Broadstairs

I have always wanted to explore this lovely little house, so since I was already in the area visiting some other tourist locations, I thought I would check out Dickens' House too. The entry fee to get in was quite reasonable. The house is really interesting, with only two floors open to the public.

It's said that this site celebrates the long connection with Broadstairs.

Chillenden Windmill - Kent

I had wanted to explore this windmill for some time, but I kept missing its open hours or wasn't in the area. Since I was alread visiting different places, I thought I would make Chillenden Windmill my last stop for the day. It was open later than the other locations I had visited. Before heading there, I checked the website to confirm it was open, and it was. Additionally, this visit would mark the last of the 2026 season, as the windmill would reopen in May 2027.

 

The windmill itself is a really interesting little structure and not as large as other windmills you typically see. This lovely gem is also Grade II listed. The mill was a working mill until 1949. In December 1957, it is said that the mill was purchased for £100, and KCC restored it to a working mill for £728, although they did not retain all the machinery. Sadly, in 2003, the windmill collapsed, and in 2004, plans were announced to rebuild on the site. The mill reopened to visitors in 2005.

 

buckland Lane PILLBOX (TYPE 24) - Chillenden Kent

As Mini Me and I were on our way to Chilling Windmill, I came across a pillbox. I pulled up right outside it, got out of the car, and took a quick look. Like most pillboxes, it had a similar layout, but this one featured an interesting platform.

Most Type 24 pillboxes were constructed between June 1940 and 1941 and were primarily used during the war.

St Mary Magdalene C Of E Church - Gillingham

I have always wanted to visit this church for some reason. After years of walking past it and wondering what it looked like inside, I discovered that it was open for the annual Ride and Stride event. I took this opportunity to see the church, and I'm glad I did because it is so beautiful inside.

This church is over 100 years old and is mentioned in the Domesday Book. It is also Grade II listed. Some, if not most, of the stained glass windows are over 100 years old. Since 2019, the church has also opened its space for coffee mornings.

St John's Chatham

I have memories of visiting this church when I was little with my school. When I tried to go back and visit it, I found that it had been closed for a long time. When I heard that the church was having an open day, I thought I would check it out again. I have to say, it looked very different inside compared to what I remembered from my childhood. Everything has been completely changed, but that’s what happens—things change with time.

This lovely little church is grade II listed and is over 200 years old. It first opened in 1821, closed in 1990, and then reopened in 2021 after undergoing a £4 million renovation project that took about two years.