Clayton

Clayton a hamlet nestling under the Downs, is well known for its famous landmarks, The Jack and Jill windmills. A century ago there were almost a hundred windmills in Sussex, however, today very few remain. As a pair, Jack and Jill are probably unique in England. Their location, side by side on the Sussex Downs, makes them an outstanding landmark.

Jill, a wooden white-painted post mill built in 1821, was brought by oxen across the Downs from Dyke Road, Brighton in 1852. The Mill was last worked in 1907, however a Preservation Society was formed in 1978, which has restored Jill to full working condition. Jack, built in 1866, is privately owned and is not open to the public.

Nearby the Saxon Church of St. John the Baptist has a squat bell turret of shingles with a fine wrought iron weather vane dated 1781, and an 11th century wall painting showing the Last Judgement. These murals, unique in England for their date and extent, were first brought to light during repair work in 1893.