1700–1799
Original tower mill built
The mill was originally built in the eighteenth century as a three-storey brick tower mill.
Site overview
West Walton Highway tower mill stood at Fen End, about two and a half miles south-east of West Walton. The mill began as a three-storey brick tower built in the eighteenth century and was enlarged in 1815 when John Dobbs added two further floors, altered the batter of the tower and inserted a datestone marked J.D. 1815. The tarred red-brick tower had an ogee cap with finial and petticoat, and its sails drove three pairs of stones.
It was also known as Dobbs' Mill. Daniel Sutterby was associated with the mill in the later nineteenth century, and his son William continued the business. Steam power was later added to supplement wind.
A severe gale on 22 February 1908 damaged the mill beyond economical repair. By 1980 the tower had been converted to a private residence, and in 2000 new owners carried out extensive renovation.
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
West Walton Highway tower mill was located at Fen End, south-east of West Walton, on the highway leading towards Marshland Smeeth and the Fen. It was originally an eighteenth-century brick tower mill of three storeys with a pronounced batter. In 1815 John Dobbs added two further floors, changing the angle of the upper tower and incorporating a datestone marked J.D. 1815 on the east side.
The altered mill became known at times as Dobbs' Mill. The tower was tarred red brick and carried an ogee cap with finial and petticoat set on a dead curb. Its sails powered three pairs of stones.
In the nineteenth century the mill was described as a wind corn mill in good trade, with residence, yard, garden, orchard, paddock and adjoining arable land. Daniel Sutterby was recorded as miller and farmer at Fen End, and after his death in 1898 his son William Sutterby continued the milling business. Steam power was later installed to supplement the wind.
The mill was damaged beyond economical repair in the severe gale of 22 February 1908. It was advertised for sale in 1912 and was derelict by 1926, although the tower still retained its ogee cap in early twentieth-century views. By 1949 it was being used as a store.
By 1980 the tower had been converted into a private residence, with a bungalow attached and the cap replaced by a castellated roof. In 2000 new owners began extensive renovation, removing the castellations, making the roof watertight, reinstating floors and stairs and installing heating.
Timeline
1815
Tower heightened by John Dobbs
John Dobbs added two floors, altered the tower profile and inserted a datestone marked J.D. 1815.
1886
Mill advertised for auction
The wind corn mill at West Walton was advertised with residence, yard, garden, orchard, paddock and adjoining arable land.
1908
Gale ended economic repair
A severe gale damaged the mill beyond economical repair.
1980
Converted to residence
By 1980 the mill had been converted to a private residence with an attached bungalow and castellated tower top.
2000
Renovation begun
New owners carried out extensive renovation, including removal of the castellations, roof repairs and reinstatement of floors and stairs.
Sources and records
Norfolk Mills: West Walton Highway towermill
Windmill World entry: Fen End Mill, West Walton
Mills Archive entry: Fen End Mill, West Walton
Windmill World entry: Fen End Mill, West Walton
Mills Archive entry: Fen End Mill, West Walton