—
Acle Marshes drained
Four patent sails drove a 19-foot scoop wheel to drain Acle Marshes.
Site overview
Lockgate Drainage Mill, also known as Freethorpe Mill, Banham's Black Mill or Duffel's Mill, stands on Halvergate Marshes near Breydon Water. The four-storey black-tarred tower is Grade II listed and lies in the parish of Freethorpe. It was built between 1800 and 1825 and stood 35 feet high to the curb, with a 24-foot base diameter.
Four patent sails drove a 19-foot scoop wheel, which drained Acle Marshes even though the mill stood near Halvergate Fleet and Breydon Water. The sails were blown off in a gale in 1953. A protective aluminium cap was fitted in 1988, but most of the machinery was destroyed by fire in 2001.
The scoop wheel remained outside the mill in 2008, and the building was added to the Save Britain's Heritage buildings at risk register in 2023.
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
Lockgate Drainage Mill stands in an isolated position on Halvergate Marshes next to Breydon Water, about one and a half miles west of Lockgate Farm. It is also known as Freethorpe Mill and was historically known as Banham's Black Mill or Duffel's Mill. Although commonly associated with Halvergate Marshes, the mill is recorded as lying in the parish of Freethorpe.
It was built between 1800 and 1825 as a drainage mill. The four-storey black-tarred tower is Grade II listed and stood 35 feet high to the curb, with a base diameter of 24 feet. A small cottage stood about 25 yards north of the mill.
The mill used four patent sails turning clockwise to drive a 19-foot diameter scoop wheel with seven-inch paddles. Its drainage function served Acle Marshes to the north, despite the mill standing only about 800 yards from the junction of Halvergate Fleet and Breydon Water. Recorded mill keepers included Dan Banham, Bob Banham, Leonard William Rose and Leonard Carter.
In 1953 the sails were blown off in a gale. In 1988 a protective aluminium cap was fitted. In 2001 most of the machinery was destroyed by fire after being set alight by vandals.
The scoop wheel was still recorded beside the outside of the mill in 2008. In 2023 the mill was added to the Save Britain's Heritage buildings at risk register, reflecting the vulnerable condition of this surviving marshland drainage structure.
Timeline
1800–1825
Lockgate drainage mill built
The four-storey tarred drainage mill was built between 1800 and 1825 on Halvergate Marshes.
1953
Sails blown off
The sails were blown off in a gale.
1988
Protective cap fitted
A protective aluminium cap was fitted to the surviving tower.
2001
Machinery destroyed by fire
Most of the surviving machinery was destroyed by fire after vandalism.
2023
Added to buildings at risk register
The mill was added to the Save Britain's Heritage buildings at risk register.
Sources and records
Norfolk Mills: Halvergate Lockgate drainage windmill
Save Britain's Heritage buildings at risk register reference
Norfolk drainage windmill records
Save Britain's Heritage buildings at risk register reference
Norfolk drainage windmill records