Foxley Tower Mill Foxley · Norfolk · England

Foxley towermill was built in 1845 by William Elvin, who had previously run Bawdeswell smock mill. The new Foxley mill stood south-west of the village and was a five-storey red-brick tower mill. A datestone was placed above the door. The mill had patent sails, a revolving cap, two pairs of French burr stones, hoist tackle, a flour mill and complete machinery. Sale particulars stated that it was capable of driving a third pair of stones if installed. A mill house with a date tablet of 1859 was later part of the site.

William Elvin continued to be recorded in directories as being at Bawdeswell until 1858 because he still lived at Bawdeswell Mill House, and local notes state that he travelled across the fields to Foxley Mill. In November 1861 the property was advertised for sale by auction. It comprised a new brick and slated dwelling house, land, and a capital brick tower windmill with five floors and patent sails. The mill was then in the occupation of James David Elvin. The property was again advertised for auction in 1862 and for sale or letting in 1863.

In 1868 Foxley Mill was advertised to let as a tower windmill with four patent sails, two pairs of stones, a dressing mill and machinery, together with a dwelling house, stable, cart shed and three acres of arable land. Later notices and directory entries record a sequence of operators. Benjamin Skinner was recorded as a master miller employing one man in the 1871 census. William Neal was associated with the mill in the 1870s. James Buckenham occupied it when it was advertised for sale in 1880 and 1881. The 1880 sale notice described a well-appointed mill capable of driving two pairs of stones with a flour dresser, alongside a residence, stabling, granary, cart lodge and land.

By 1889 the property was advertised as a small freehold investment including the brick tower and machinery of the windmill. George Juby was recorded as miller in that year, and later family notes identify him as the last miller. Arthur Ernest Parfitt bought the property in 1890. By about 1899 the mill machinery had been dismantled. The premises were later developed for fruit farming by the Parfitt family.

The tower remained after the working machinery had gone. A photograph of 1936 showed the tower in use as a store. By 1980 the mill had been reduced to three storeys with a flat roof and stood among later domestic development. It measured about thirty feet high and twenty feet six inches across at the base. The property was bought by Philip Hollis in September 1980, and the ground and first floors were renovated without structural alteration to form an art gallery. By 1990 the mill was recorded as accommodation.