Site overview
Ludham High tower mill was a brick corn mill on the east side of Ludham village. Norfolk Mills records it as a three-storey red-brick tower with three iron bands, a Norfolk boat-shaped cap, petticoat and six-bladed fan. The present tower dated from 1742, replacing an earlier post mill on Old Mill Lane.
It was first advertised to let or sell in 1761 and was advertised again in 1796 and 1797 with two pairs of French burr stones, two flour mills and going gears. The tithe award of 1842 recorded Simon Grapes as both owner and occupier. Originally built with common sails, it was later converted to four double-shuttered patent sails with nine bays.
By the 1970s the mill had been converted to residential use and had a tiled pyramid roof.
Map
History
Ludham High tower mill was a corn mill in Ludham, replacing an earlier post mill that stood further back from the road at the end of Old Mill Lane. Norfolk Mills records that the present tower dates from 1742, with the date carved on a beam, and that it was built to replace the former post mill. The mill was a three-storey red-brick tower with three iron bands around the tower.
It had a Norfolk boat-shaped cap with a petticoat and a six-bladed fan. It was originally fitted with common sails, but in later years was converted to four double-shuttered patent sails with nine bays, turning clockwise and driving two pairs of French burr stones. The sails were struck by rack and pinion via a tailpole.
A 1761 Norwich Mercury notice advertised a brick tower windmill at Ludham with a dwelling house and outhouse. Notices in December 1796 and January 1797 described a good and substantial tower windmill with two pairs of French burr stones, two flour mills, all going gears, and an associated newly erected brick and tile dwelling house, yards, garden ground and outbuildings. The 1842 tithe award recorded the windmill and pightle as plot 248, owned and occupied by Simon Grapes.
Later directory entries show milling and millwright activity in Ludham, including the England family and Ebenezer Newton. By the 1970s the mill had been converted to residential use and had a distinctive tiled pyramid roof.
Timeline
Mill advertised to let or sell
Mill advertised with stones and flour mills
Tithe award records Simon Grapes
Residential conversion recorded
Sources and records
Norwich Mercury notices transcribed by Norfolk Mills
Norfolk Chronicle notices transcribed by Norfolk Mills
Norfolk Mills tithe-award notes
Windmill World gazetteer entry: Ludham tower mill