1903
Windpump ceased working
The windpump had ceased working at Ranworth Broad by 1903.
Site overview
Clayrack Mill is a hollow-post drainage windpump at How Hill, north of Boardman's Mill. It is one of three surviving hollow-post windpumps in Norfolk. The pump originally stood on Ranworth Marshes, where it had ceased working by 1903 and later became derelict.
Because the Ranworth Marshes site was sensitive for nesting birds and the structure was in danger of being lost, it was moved in 1981 to How Hill, near Ludham. It was restored around 1983 by millwright Richard Seago and is cared for by the Norfolk Windmills Trust. In 2018 the stocks were in place but the sails were missing and under restoration.
The present site therefore preserves a relocated and restored hollow-post drainage pump rather than its original working location.
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
Clayrack Mill is a hollow-post windpump now standing at How Hill near Ludham, about 200 yards north of Boardman's Mill. It is one of three surviving hollow-post windpumps in Norfolk. The structure originally stood on Ranworth Marshes, where it had ceased working by 1903.
After falling into dereliction, it was considered at risk of being lost. Its original marshland setting was also sensitive because Ranworth Marshes supported numerous nesting birds. In 1981 the pump was moved from Ranworth Marshes to How Hill.
The relocation created a preserved site for the structure rather than leaving it at its original drainage location. Around 1983 the windpump was restored by millwright Richard Seago. It is cared for by the Norfolk Windmills Trust.
By 2018 the stocks were in place, but the sails were missing and were being restored. Clayrack therefore represents both an early drainage-pump type and a deliberate conservation relocation, with its present survival depending on post-working preservation rather than continued drainage use.
Timeline
1981
Moved to How Hill
The hollow-post windpump was moved from Ranworth Marshes to How Hill near Ludham.
1983
Windpump restored
The relocated windpump was restored by millwright Richard Seago around 1983.
2018
Sails under restoration
The stocks were in place, but the sails were missing and under restoration.
Sources and records
Norfolk Mills: Ludham Clayrack drainage windmill
Norfolk Windmills Trust care reference
Norfolk Windmills Trust care reference