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Wind-powered drainage use
The tarred brick tower worked as a drainage mill, with wind-powered machinery driving a scoop wheel.
Site overview
Norton Marsh Drainage Mill stands on the south bank of the River Yare, just east of the mouth of the River Chet and south of Reedham Ferry. Built in 1863, it was a four-storey tarred red-brick drainage mill with a scoop wheel, placed beside a later red-brick pumphouse. The tower measured 30 feet 3 inches to the top of the brickwork, with a broad base and tapering upper wall.
After wind-powered working ceased, the cap, sails, and machinery were removed and a conical iron roof was fitted. By the 1980s the mill was being converted to residential use. A new Norfolk boat-shaped cap was fitted in 1997, and the scoop wheel was reconstructed.
By 2007 the converted mill was in use as holiday-let accommodation.
Map
Map markers and directions links are provided for location reference only and do not indicate public access or permission to enter a site.
No site photograph is currently available. Images will be added as field visits are carried out.
History
Norton Marsh Drainage Mill was built in 1863 on the south bank of the River Yare, just east of the point where the River Chet enters the Yare and south of Reedham Ferry. It was a four-storey tarred red-brick drainage mill, built as a marsh drainage pump rather than as a corn mill. The tower stood alone beside the river at the end of a short track from the road, close to a more modern red-brick pumphouse.
Its brickwork rose 30 feet 3 inches to the top of the tower. The overall base diameter was recorded as 20 feet 4 inches, reducing to 12 feet 6 inches at the top, with walls 22½ inches thick. The mill worked by wind power through its cap, sails, and machinery, driving a scoop wheel to move water from the marsh drainage system.
After working ceased, the cap, sails, and internal machinery were removed. A conical iron roof replaced the original windmill cap and remained on the tower until 1988. In 1986 the tower was recorded in the process of conversion to residential accommodation.
By 1990 Arthur Smith described the roof as conical, with a scalloped petticoat. In April 1997 millwright Richard Seago fitted a new cap, and the scoop wheel was reconstructed. By 1998 the partly tarred tower was in good condition, and by 2007 the converted mill was being used as holiday-let accommodation.
Timeline
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Cap and machinery removed
After working ceased, the cap, sails, and machinery were removed and a conical iron roof was fitted.
1863
Drainage mill built
Norton Marsh Drainage Mill was built on the south bank of the River Yare near the mouth of the River Chet.
1986
Residential conversion underway
The mill was recorded in the process of conversion to residential accommodation.
1997
New cap fitted
Millwright Richard Seago fitted a new Norfolk boat-shaped cap to the tower.
2007
Holiday-let use recorded
The converted mill was recorded as holiday-let accommodation.
Sources and records
Norfolk Mills page: Norton Marsh drainage pump
Geograph windmills gazetteer: Norton Drainage Mill
Broads Authority landscape character assessment
Geograph windmills gazetteer: Norton Drainage Mill
Broads Authority landscape character assessment