Draper’s Windmill in Kent upgraded to Grade II* in 2025 historic site listings
Historic England recognises Kent smock mill as part of rich heritage
Draper’s Windmill in Margate has been upgraded to Grade II* status as part of Historic England’s celebration of unusual historic buildings and places granted protection in 2025. The listing reflects the mill’s significance and increasing rarity within England’s heritage.
Constructed around 1843, Draper’s Windmill is a timber-framed smock mill originally built to grind grain into flour. Margate's well-preserved mill had previously been listed at Grade II since 1973, but its historic importance, including its rare surviving internal machinery, has now been acknowledged with an elevated status.
Timber smock mills, with their distinctive sloping sides, formed an essential part of rural Kent’s agricultural landscape during the 19th century.
Draper’s Windmill represents one of the last operational historic mills in the region, capturing a vital part of Thanet's heritage and Kent's broader history.
The upgrade forms part of a wider project by Historic England to highlight diverse and remarkable sites across England. A total of 199 listings, including 21 scheduled monuments and five parks, have been added to the National Heritage List for England this year.
Recognition for Kent and the South East
Draper’s Windmill is one of several notable listings in the South East. Other highlights include:
Submarine telephone cable hauler and gantry in Royal Greenwich: This rare equipment played a pivotal role in the laying of the transatlantic telephone cable TAT-1, operational in 1956, which marked a milestone in global communication.
Dragon’s Teeth anti-tank defences in Guildford, Surrey: These concrete structures, built in 1941-42, remain as reminders of Britain’s Second World War coastal and inland defence network.
Co-CEOs of Historic England, Claudia Kenyatta and Emma Squire, celebrated the remarkable diversity of the listings, saying, “From ancient burial sites to shipwrecks and wartime defences, this year’s newly protected places demonstrate the remarkable breadth of England's heritage. They connect us to the people and events that shaped our communities.”
Protecting the nation’s rich heritage
Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross added, “Britain’s heritage is as varied as it is brilliant, with each of these sites playing a part in shaping our national story over the centuries. The protection of these historic buildings and places ensures that our rich history is safeguarded for future generations.”
The National Heritage List for England is the official register of all nationally protected historic buildings and sites. This year’s additions also include neolithic cairns, Second World War structures, Arts and Crafts gardens, and pioneering examples of modernist and neoclassical architecture.
How to get involved
Historic England’s Missing Pieces Project invites the public to share stories, photos, and memories of historic landmarks to build a richer history of these places. Visit Historic England’s website for more details.