Cockfield Mill

Site overview

Cockfield Mill is a former wind-powered corn mill at Cockfield, Suffolk. It was built in 1891 by Brewer & Sillitoe of Long Melford and replaced Pepper Mill, an earlier tower mill on the same site. The new mill was a four-storey tower mill fitted with four patent sails, a domed cap, a fantail, and two pairs of millstones.

Its working life was short, and it ceased operating in 1900. The cap was later removed and the tower was used for many years as a store. The empty tower has since been converted to residential 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

Cockfield Mill was erected in 1891 by Brewer & Sillitoe, the Long Melford millwrights. It replaced Pepper Mill, an earlier tower mill on the same site. The new structure was a four-storey tower mill used for corn milling.

It had a domed cap winded by a fantail, four patent sails, and two pairs of millstones. The mill had only a short working life and ceased operation in 1900. After milling ended, the cap was removed and the tower was retained.

For many years it served as a store. The empty tower has since been converted to residential accommodation. The surviving building represents a late example of a Suffolk tower mill and preserves the former mill tower within a domestic reuse.

Timeline

—

Converted to residential use

The empty tower was converted to residential accommodation.

1891

Cockfield Mill built

Cockfield Mill was erected in 1891 by Brewer & Sillitoe of Long Melford.

1900

Milling ceased

The mill ceased working in 1900.

Sources and records

Wikipedia article: Cockfield Windmill
Windmill World entry: Cockfield windmill
Mills Archive entry: Tower mill, Cockfield
The Windmill Suffolk history page
Suffolk Mills Group index of Suffolk windmills