1840–1849
Drainage mill built
Reedham Ferry Drainage Mill was built in the 1840s with common sails driving a single scoop wheel.
Site overview
Reedham Ferry Drainage Mill, later known as The Red Mill, was built in the 1840s beside the River Yare. It was a drainage mill with common sails driving a single scoop wheel and was brought to wind by a tail pole. In the 1890s the Acle millwrights Englands modernised the machinery and fitted double-shuttered patent sails.
The Norfolk boat-shaped cap then held a fantail. The mill ceased working around 1936. Geoffrey Livingston bought the derelict mill in 1950 and converted it to a holiday home.
By 1972 Geoffrey and Stella Livingston were using it as a two-bedroom holiday home, and it remained in holiday use in the 1980s. Later ownership and sale records show the converted mill continuing as a private residential or holiday property, with sales recorded in 2018 and 2022.
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
Reedham Ferry Drainage Mill was built in the 1840s on the River Yare and later became known as The Red Mill. It was a drainage mill, originally fitted with common sails that drove a single scoop wheel. The cap was brought to wind with a tail pole.
In the 1890s the millwrights Englands of Acle modernised the machinery and fitted double-shuttered patent sails. The Norfolk boat-shaped cap then held a fantail. Ordnance Survey mapping in 1884 recorded the site during its working life.
The mill ceased working around 1936. By 1950 it was derelict, when Geoffrey Livingston bought it. He converted the mill into a holiday home, and by 1972 Geoffrey and Stella Livingston were using it as a two-bedroom holiday home.
It was again recorded as a holiday home in 1986. The mill remained in private use, and in 2018 John and Laura Reeves bought it. In July 2022 it was advertised for sale at £850,000, and in November 2022 it was advertised by Minors & Brady for £675,000.
The surviving structure is therefore documented as a former drainage mill converted to domestic or holiday use, retaining its strong identity as The Red Mill beside Reedham Ferry.
Timeline
1884
Mill shown on Ordnance Survey map
The drainage mill was marked on the 1884 Ordnance Survey map.
1890–1899
Machinery modernised
Englands of Acle modernised the mill machinery and fitted double-shuttered patent sails.
1936
Mill ceased working
The mill ceased working around 1936.
1950
Derelict mill bought
Geoffrey Livingston bought the derelict mill.
1972
Holiday home use recorded
Geoffrey and Stella Livingston were using the converted mill as a two-bedroom holiday home.
2018
New owners recorded
John and Laura Reeves bought the mill.
2022
Mill advertised for sale
The converted mill was advertised for sale in July and again in November 2022.
Sources and records
Norfolk Mills page: Reedham Ferry drainage pump
Windmill World entry: North Mill, Reedham Ferry
Mills Archive entry: North Mill, Reedham Ferry
Wikipedia article: Reedham Ferry Drainage Mill
Broads Authority case material on Red Mill
Windmill World entry: North Mill, Reedham Ferry
Mills Archive entry: North Mill, Reedham Ferry
Wikipedia article: Reedham Ferry Drainage Mill
Broads Authority case material on Red Mill