Hindolveston Tower Mill Hindolveston · Norfolk · England

Hindolveston towermill was built in 1844 by John Pegg, who had previously taken over the family postmill. Norfolk Mills describes the tower as five storeys high, about forty feet to the top, with flint and rubble encased in Norfolk red brick. It had little batter, a stage above the meal floor, and a Norfolk boat-shaped cap with petticoat, gallery and eight-bladed fan. Four double-shuttered sails, each with seven bays of three shutters, were struck by rocking lever and powered two pairs of overdriven stones, one pair being 4 ft French burr stones. The windshaft had four shallow ribs at the brakewheel, and the wallower was of solid wood.

John Pegg remained at the towermill until after 1883 and worked as miller, baker, shopkeeper and farmer. Advertisements in the 1860s and 1870s repeatedly sought millers, bakers and journeymen for Hindolveston Mills, showing the combined milling and baking trade. William Pegg had taken over the towermill by about 1888 and added a steam engine for use when wind failed. Directory entries in the 1890s and early twentieth century record William Pegg as a wind and steam miller, also associated with Hunworth watermill and Thurning mills.

In 1906 Mrs Agnes Bowman rented the mill, and in 1908 she was recorded in connection with a dispute over a weighing machine after taking over the mill and shop lately occupied by Pegg Bros. Kelly's 1908 listed Mrs Agnes Bowman as miller, baker and Post Office, while by 1912 she was listed only as baker and Post Office. A new windshaft was installed around 1912, reportedly raised by block and tackle and horses.

The last miller was Harry Thomas Davison, who worked the mill from 1922 to 1929 and then entered partnership with his son until 1937, after which the mill became derelict. The mill was already recorded as derelict in 1926. During the Second World War the top storey was removed because the tower was believed to be a hazard to low-flying aircraft from nearby Foulsham airfield. After the war, machinery owned by R. K. Faulkner was dismantled by Cecil Smithdale of Thomas Smithdale & Sons. The shell was then converted into a private residence, with the tower used as an entrance hall and a circular staircase leading to a first-floor bedroom. The upper floors were not converted at that time, and the roof was made of reinforced concrete. In 1979 a fixed Norfolk boat-shaped cap with gallery and petticoat was fitted to improve appearance and help waterproof the tower. The mill was recorded as accommodation with the adjoining house in 1990 and 2009.