1843
Cereal processing recorded
Historic England archive material states that the tower windmill was used for processing cereals from 1843.
Site overview
Tower Mill is the Historic England listed name for the former tower windmill on Rampton Road, Cottenham. Historic England describes it as a tower windmill, now a water tower, dating from the early to mid nineteenth century. It is built of tarred brick and survives in three stages with the cap removed.
Historic England archive material states that the windmill processed cereals from 1843 until 1898, when the cap was removed and the building was converted for use as a water tower. Capturing Cambridge records that the Cottenham Gas and Water Company purchased the windmill in 1898 and converted it for that purpose. The former mill is Grade II listed.
Its present character is therefore a surviving tower-mill shell adapted to a later utility use, rather than a restored working windmill.
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
Tower Mill stands on the north side of Rampton Road at Cottenham. The Historic England listed building entry records the official name as Tower Mill and describes the building as a tower windmill, now a water tower. The structure dates from the early to mid nineteenth century and is built of tarred brick.
It survives in three stages, with the original cap removed. Historic England archive material states that the tower windmill was used for processing cereals from 1843 until 1898. After milling ended, the cap was removed and the building was converted for use as a water tower.
Capturing Cambridge gives the same functional change and records that the Cottenham Gas and Water Company purchased the windmill in 1898 before conversion. The Victoria County History for Cottenham also records the tower mill off Rampton Road being converted into a water tower in 1903. No detailed account of the original sails, windshaft, stones or internal gearing has been identified in the consulted sources.
The surviving building is therefore a former cereal-processing tower windmill whose post-milling history is dominated by conversion to water supply use. It remains Grade II listed and is preserved as a three-stage tarred brick tower.
Timeline
1898
Cereal milling ended
The windmill is recorded as having processed cereals until 1898.
1898
Purchased for water supply use
The Cottenham Gas and Water Company purchased the windmill and converted it for use as a water tower.
1903
Conversion to water tower recorded
The tower mill off Rampton Road is recorded as being converted into a water tower in 1903.
1984
Grade II listing
Tower Mill was listed at Grade II.
Sources and records
Historic England listed building entry for Tower Mill, Cottenham
Historic England archive photograph description for Cottenham water tower
Capturing Cambridge article on Tower Mill, Rampton Road, Cottenham
Victoria County History entry for Cottenham economic history
Windmill World entry for Cottenham windmill
Historic England archive photograph description for Cottenham water tower
Capturing Cambridge article on Tower Mill, Rampton Road, Cottenham
Victoria County History entry for Cottenham economic history
Windmill World entry for Cottenham windmill