1856
Tower mill built
Carbrooke Mill Lane tower mill was built in 1856 for Richard Dewing of Carbrooke Hall.
Site overview
The coordinates identify Mill Lane Mill at Carbrooke rather than Watton. Carbrooke Mill Lane tower mill was built in 1856 for Richard Dewing of Carbrooke Hall, replacing an earlier post mill. The five-storey tower had a boat-shaped cap, gallery, petticoat, eight-bladed fantail and four double patent sails.
Auxiliary steam power was present by 1888, later replaced by a Crossley hot-bulb paraffin engine installed in 1932. Wind working ended when the sails were removed in 1932, but milling continued by engine until 1943. In 1979 the cap frame and windshaft were removed and a temporary cap fitted.
The mill is Grade II listed and retains machinery from the wallower downward.
Map
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No site photograph is currently available. Images will be added as field visits are carried out.
History
Mill Lane Mill at Carbrooke was built in 1856 for Richard Dewing J.P., D.L. of Carbrooke Hall, replacing a post mill that had stood at the site since at least 1811. The five-storey tower had a boat-shaped cap with petticoat and gallery, an eight-bladed fantail and four double patent sails. The final sails were mismatched: one pair came from Little Cressingham, and the recorded sail details differ between inner and outer stocks.
The mill worked three pairs of stones, with a fourth pair later driven by auxiliary power. By 1888 a steam engine had been installed. The mill was offered for sale in 1900 and bought by the tenant Herbert Jeremiah Minns.
After his death in 1921 it passed to Herbert Willie Minns. The sails were removed in 1932 by Martins of Beccles, and a 1911 Crossley hot-bulb paraffin engine was installed. Milling continued by engine until 1943.
The mill passed to Herbert Henry Minns in 1967. In October 1979 millwright John Lawn removed the cap frame and windshaft and fitted a temporary cap. The tower is Grade II listed as the windmill south-east of Mill House, and some machinery survives, including machinery from the wallower downward.
Timeline
1888
Auxiliary steam power recorded
A steam engine had been installed by 1888 to drive a separate pair of millstones.
1900
Mill sold to tenant
The mill was offered for sale at auction and bought by Herbert Jeremiah Minns, the sitting tenant.
1932
Sails removed
The sails were removed by Martins of Beccles in 1932.
1932
Crossley engine installed
A 1911 Crossley hot-bulb paraffin engine was installed after the sails were removed.
1943
Engine milling ended
Milling continued by engine until 1943.
1979
Cap frame and windshaft removed
Millwright John Lawn removed the cap frame and windshaft and fitted a temporary cap.
1983
Grade II listing recorded
The windmill south-east of Mill House was listed at Grade II.
Sources and records
Norfolk Mills entry for Carbrooke Mill Lane tower windmill
Historic England listing for Windmill 20 yards south-east of Mill House
Windmill World entry for Carbrooke windmill
Wikipedia article: Mill Lane Mill, Carbrooke
Historic England listing for Windmill 20 yards south-east of Mill House
Windmill World entry for Carbrooke windmill
Wikipedia article: Mill Lane Mill, Carbrooke