1311
Medieval windmill recorded
A windmill at South Duffield was given to Drax Priory by Luke de Hemingborough.
Site overview
South Duffield Windmill stands in the village of South Duffield. A windmill was recorded there in 1311 and again in the seventeenth century, while the present tower mill was built around 1800 for cereal grinding. It worked until about 1930 and appears to have been used again during the Second World War before becoming derelict.
The red-brick, four-storey tapering tower was listed at Grade II in 1988 and was converted into a house in the 2010s.
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
Windmill activity at South Duffield was recorded in 1311, when Luke de Hemingborough gave a windmill to Drax Priory. A windmill was again recorded in the seventeenth century. The present tower mill was built around 1800 and was used for grinding cereal.
It remained in use until about 1930 and appears to have been brought back into use during the Second World War before becoming derelict. The surviving building is a red-brick circular tapering tower of four storeys. The ground storey has an east doorway and windows in the other faces, while the upper storeys have windows with segmental heads.
The windmill was listed at Grade II in 1988. In the 2010s the former mill was converted into a house.
Timeline
1800
Present tower mill built
The present tower mill was built around 1800 for cereal grinding.
1930
Regular working ended
The mill remained in use until about 1930.
1939–1945
Second World War use
The mill appears to have been used again during the Second World War.
1988
Grade II listing
The former windmill tower was listed at Grade II.
2010–2019
House conversion
The former windmill was converted into a house during the 2010s.
Sources and records
Wikipedia article: South Duffield Windmill
Historic England National Heritage List entry: Windmill at Mill House
Windmill World entry: South Duffield windmill
Victoria County History: A History of the County of York East Riding, Volume 3
Mills Archive catalogue entry: Tower mill, South Duffield
Historic England National Heritage List entry: Windmill at Mill House
Windmill World entry: South Duffield windmill
Victoria County History: A History of the County of York East Riding, Volume 3
Mills Archive catalogue entry: Tower mill, South Duffield