1730
Mill built at Wingfield
The mill that later became Syleham Mill was built at Wingfield in 1730.
Site overview
Syleham Mill was a post mill at Syleham in Suffolk. It was built at Wingfield in 1730 and moved to Syleham in 1823. The mill had a two-storey clunch roundhouse, four spring sails, a cast-iron windshaft, a fantail, and two pairs of millstones, with an additional pair in the roundhouse driven by oil engine.
It was blown down on 16 October 1987. The remains comprise the roundhouse and trestle, while the remains of the mill body were removed in June 2007.
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
Syleham Mill was originally built at Wingfield in 1730 as one of a pair on Wingfield Green. Both mills came into the ownership of Robert Sparkes in 1820. Sparkes considered the pair too close together and moved one mill about two miles to Syleham in 1823.
The relocated mill was a post mill on a two-storey clunch roundhouse. It had four spring sails on a cast-iron windshaft, two pairs of millstones arranged head and tail, wooden clasp-arm head and tail wheels, and a fantail in the Suffolk style. An oil engine later powered an additional pair of stones in the roundhouse.
Ownership passed through George Dye, John Bokenham, John Bryant, Sarah Ann Bryant, James Bryant, Arthur John Bryant, Jack Penton, and Elizabeth Jillard. Repair work to the roundhouse was carried out in 1974 with grant support from Suffolk County Council, and full restoration was planned. The mill was blown down on 16 October 1987 when one of the front corner posts failed.
The remains of the mill body were removed in June 2007. The surviving remains comprise the roundhouse and trestle.
Timeline
1820
Owned by Robert Sparkes
Robert Sparkes owned both Wingfield Green mills by 1820.
1823
Moved to Syleham
One of the Wingfield Green mills was moved about two miles to Syleham in 1823.
1974
Roundhouse repaired
Repair work was carried out to the roundhouse in 1974.
1987
Mill blown down
Syleham Mill was blown down on 16 October 1987 after a front corner post failed.
2007
Mill body remains removed
The remains of the mill body were removed in June 2007.
Sources and records
Mills Archive mill record: Post mill, Syleham
Suffolk Mills Group windmill gazetteer
List of windmills in Suffolk
Syleham Windmill historical summary
Mills Archive catalogue material for Syleham post mill
Suffolk Mills Group windmill gazetteer
List of windmills in Suffolk
Syleham Windmill historical summary
Mills Archive catalogue material for Syleham post mill