WIND WATER MILLS

Norfolk is a county with a considerable number of windmills, and they have become a famous part of the landscape. They were used both for grinding corn/flour, and also for drainage, particularly on the Norfolk Broads. Some have been renovated and are open to the public, but most have fallen into private hands, but can still be seen. Several watermills also exist, but are less common due to the gentle landscape.

Cley-next-the-sea Windmill is a famous landmark in the area and it now provides bed & breakfast accommodation.

Stow Flour Mill near Mundesley, was built in 1827. It is open to the public and you can climb all its floors. A small gift shop is adjacent.

Burnham Overy is the one of the few places where you can actually see both a windmill and a watermill. Both are 18th century and unfortunately, not open to the public.

Horsey Windpump is owned by the National Trust and is open to the public. You can see the restored workings and there is a viewing gallery at the top.

Windmills are a feature of the Norfolk Broads landscape as they were an efficient method of draining the landscape. Nowadays they have all been replaced by electric pumps.

Hunsett Drainage Mill on the River Ant is probably the Norfolk windmill on the most postcards! this is due to its chocolate box picture setting, but actually its quite hard to get to, being at the Northern end of the Norfolk Broads network and no road access.

Sutton Mill, is a nine-storey corn grinding mill near Stalham. Built in the late 18th Century, it is the tallest remaining windmill in the country. It is no longer open to the public.

Not far from Coltishall, towards Aylsham, you can find Buxton Mill. The mill was built in 1754 by William Pepper, a merchant living locally. The building was constructed of white painted brick and weatherboard with a pantile roof and has been a prominent landmark in the village for many years. It closed as a working mill in 1970 and is now available as a holiday home - see www.BuxtonMill.co.uk for more details. A footpath leads along the bank of the River Bure towards Coltishall and makes a lovely walk.

Enjoy your visit to Norfolk! - Comment on this tour - Return to the top of the page