1853
Two Sygate tower mills built
The White Mill and Black Mill were built at Cawston Sygate by John Shepheard Hickling.
Site overview
Cawston Sygate White Mill was one of two brick tower mills built in the same mill yard in 1853 by John Shepheard Hickling. The White Mill was slightly larger than the Black Mill and was named from its white-painted cap. The mill house bears a J.S.H. 1853 datestone.
At one stage the Black Mill ground wheat to flour and the White Mill dressed it; later sources record the White Mill producing animal feed while the Black Mill was run as a sawmill. By 1923 the mills were derelict. The Black Mill was later demolished, while the White Mill survived in reduced form.
Norfolk Mills records the tower as empty in 1984 and derelict in 1990. In 2003 it was converted to holiday accommodation, and in 2024 the converted mill and bungalow were advertised for sale.
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
Cawston Sygate White Mill formed part of a two-mill complex at Sygate, also shown on Ordnance Survey mapping as Southgate. Norfolk Mills records that the White Mill and the smaller Black Mill were both brick tower mills built in 1853 by the farmer, merchant and auctioneer John Shepheard Hickling. The White Mill was the larger of the two and had a white-painted cap, while the Black Mill had a black tarred cap.
The associated mill house carries a datestone with the initials J.S.H. and the date 1853. The working relationship between the two mills changed over time. One account records the Black Mill grinding wheat to flour, which was then dressed in the White Mill.
Later, the Black Mill was used as a sawmill and the White Mill produced animal feed. Directory entries record John Shepheard Hickling as a corn miller and merchant in the mid and later nineteenth century, followed by tenants and millers including Lewis Yallop, William Handcock, Alexander Wells and William Stackwood. The two mills, miller's house, cottages, granary, engine house, stable and gardens were advertised for sale in 1893.
By 1923 the mills were described as derelict. The Black Mill was demolished in 1955 according to the Geograph account cited through Wikimedia Commons. The White Mill remained, though reduced in height: Norfolk Mills records it as a three-storey, 25-foot empty tower in 1984 and derelict in 1990.
In 2003 the tower was converted to holiday accommodation. In September 2024 the converted grain mill and bungalow were advertised for sale, with reports noting retained interior character features and the former milling use for animal feed.
Timeline
1854
John Hickling recorded as corn miller
White's directory recorded John Hickling as a corn miller after construction of the mills.
1893
Sygate mills advertised for sale
The two brick tower mills and associated buildings were advertised for sale at Cawston.
1923
Mills described as derelict
The Cawston Sygate mills were described as derelict by 1923.
1955
Black Mill demolished
The smaller Black Mill at Sygate was demolished in 1955.
1984
White Mill recorded as empty tower
Norfolk Mills records the White Mill as a three-storey, 25-foot empty tower.
2003
Converted to holiday accommodation
The surviving White Mill tower was converted to holiday accommodation.
2024
Converted mill advertised for sale
The converted mill and bungalow were advertised for sale.
Sources and records
Norfolk Mills record: Cawston Sygate White tower windmill
Norfolk Mills record: Cawston Sygate Black tower windmill
Wikimedia Commons Geograph record: The White Mill in Sygate
Cawston Heritage item: Mills at Cawston
Eastern Daily Press property report cited by Norfolk Mills
Norfolk Mills record: Cawston Sygate Black tower windmill
Wikimedia Commons Geograph record: The White Mill in Sygate
Cawston Heritage item: Mills at Cawston
Eastern Daily Press property report cited by Norfolk Mills