1797
Mill rebuilt after storm
Leach's Mill was rebuilt after a storm as an eight-storey brick tower windmill.
Site overview
Leach's Mill at Wisbech is a Grade II listed brick tower windmill rebuilt after a storm in 1797. It was an eight-storey corn mill and was originally fitted with eight sails and a balcony at third-floor level. The mill later worked alongside steam power and was offered for sale in 1891 as the Eight-sail Mill, with plant, machinery, dwelling house, bakery and outbuildings.
It was last used in 1965, after which the roof, sails and machinery were removed.
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
Leach's Mill stands on Lynn Road, Wisbech. The tower was rebuilt after a storm in 1797 and formed one of the notable eight-sail tower mills of the Wisbech area. It was built of dark red brick with a pronounced taper and rose to eight storeys.
A balcony was originally set at third-floor level, where an entrance door remains, and the tower had a saw-tooth brick band below a battlemented parapet. During its working life the mill operated as a corn mill and later formed part of a larger wind and steam milling property known as the Eight-sail Mill. In 1891 the mill property included plant and machinery, a dwelling house, bakery, stabling, cart-sheds, coal-sheds and a blacksmith's shop.
The mill was last used in 1965. The Mill House was demolished around 1969, while the tower survived without its roof, sails or machinery.
Timeline
1891
Eight-sail Mill offered for sale
The wind and steam mill property was offered for sale with its plant, machinery, dwelling house, bakery and service buildings.
1965
Last use of mill
The mill was last used in 1965.
1969
Mill House demolished
The associated Mill House was demolished around 1969.
Sources and records
Historic England National Heritage List entry
Windmill World Leach's Mill entry
Windmill World Cambridgeshire mill entry
List of windmills in Cambridgeshire
Windmill World Leach's Mill entry
Windmill World Cambridgeshire mill entry
List of windmills in Cambridgeshire