1866
Tower mill built
Hale Mill was built at Swavesey after an earlier mill on the site was blown down.
Site overview
Hale Mill at Swavesey is a brick tower windmill built in 1866 after an earlier mill on the site was blown down. It worked as a corn mill and remained in use into the twentieth century. After its milling life ended around the Second World War, the tower survived and was adapted for domestic and later events use.
The surviving tower and its white dome form a local landmark in the flat fenland landscape.
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
Hale Mill was built at Swavesey in 1866 by J. Redford, replacing a previous mill that was destroyed in a gale. The new structure was a brick tower mill, giving greater permanence than the earlier form and a prominent height above the surrounding fenland. It worked as a corn mill and was associated with the Radford family in the later nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
By the 1930s it still retained its windmill identity, but its working life ended around the period of the Second World War. The tower was later converted to residential use. Repairs were carried out in the 1980s, and the mill has since been renovated with surrounding gardens and event spaces.
The tower remains standing at Taylors Lane, with a white dome that continues to make it a recognisable Swavesey landmark.
Timeline
1930
Mill still working in the twentieth century
The mill was still part of Swavesey's working milling landscape in the early twentieth century.
1940–1945
Milling use ended around the Second World War
The mill ceased working around the Second World War period and was later adapted for residential use.
1980–1989
Repairs carried out
Repairs were carried out during the 1980s, preserving the tower as a local landmark.
Sources and records
Historic England National Heritage List entry
Capturing Cambridge local history entry
Swavesey Windmill venue history
Windmill World Cambridgeshire mill entry
List of windmills in Cambridgeshire
Capturing Cambridge local history entry
Swavesey Windmill venue history
Windmill World Cambridgeshire mill entry
List of windmills in Cambridgeshire