Many people know this village merely as a junction on the main line from Victoria to the coast; in fact one of the happy memories of my own childhood was hearing a porter calling out at, I think, Arundel, 'Littlehampney, Barney and Bogney' when travelling by rail for a holiday at either Littlehampton or Bognor.

The Barnham tower mill has been a local landmark since it was built in 1829 replacing an earlier post mill. Just before the turn of the century the mill was taken over by John Baker and remained in the ownership of the Baker family for some years. A Sussex Directory of 1903 gives the motive power as wind and steam, but in 1919 all working from wind had ceased, and in 1926 a gas engine was fitted. The sweeps remained in position at that time, but eventually they were taken down. During the 1930s the mill must have been a conspicuous and pretty sight, with the cap painted white against the black of the tower, and other parts picked out in red. In its hey-day eleven other working windmills could be seen from the top of Barnham mill, but when the army used it as a lookout during the last war, there would have been none.

Milling continued on the site until 1985, but the mill is now undergoing complete restoration by a band of dedicated enthusiasts. It may still be visited, and there is a welcoming little cafe close by, with proceeds going towards the restoration work.

NB
The village information above is taken from The West Sussex Village Book, written by Tony Wales and published by Countryside Books. Click on the link Countryside Books to view Countryside's range of other local titles.