1866
Mill and bakehouse advertised to let
The post windmill was advertised with two pairs of stones, flour mill, jumper, large bakehouse, dwelling house, garden, and stabling.
Site overview
Swanton Morley post mill was a corn mill and baking business. In 1866 it was advertised to let with immediate possession, driving two pairs of stones with a flour mill, jumper, and all other requisites. The property also included a large bakehouse, dwelling house, garden, and stabling, and the notice stated that a good retail business had been carried on for more than sixty years.
Later nineteenth-century notices sought millers and baking staff, and the mill and bakery were still advertised as doing a large business in 1891. Photographs recorded the mill around 1900 and 1906. WindmillWorld records the site as Swanton Morley post mill and notes that its roundhouse was demolished in 2008.
The identified sources do not give a precise final working date.
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
Swanton Morley post mill was closely associated with local baking as well as corn milling. In 1866 a post windmill at Swanton Morley was advertised to let with immediate possession. It drove two pairs of stones and had a flour mill, jumper, and other necessary gear, together with a large bakehouse, dwelling house, garden, and stabling.
The advertisement stated that a good retail business had been done for more than sixty years. In the same year notices sought journeymen millers and assistants able to help in the bake office. Further employment notices in 1869 and 1873 again referred to the need for millers who could assist in baking.
In 1891 the bakery and windmill were advertised to let as a large business with good house and premises adjoining. Photographic evidence recorded the mill around 1900 and again around 1906. WindmillWorld identifies the mapped site as Swanton Morley post mill and notes that its roundhouse was demolished in 2008.
The available evidence establishes the mill's machinery, bakery connection, late nineteenth-century trading context, photographic survival, and later loss of the roundhouse, but not a secure final working date for wind-powered milling.
Timeline
1869
Miller and bake-office staff sought
A notice sought a competent man to work the windmill and assist in the bake office.
1891
Bakery and windmill advertised
The bakery and windmill were advertised to let as a large business with adjoining house and premises.
1900–1906
Mill photographed
The post mill was photographed around 1900 and again around 1906.
2008
Roundhouse demolished
The roundhouse of Swanton Morley post mill was demolished.
Sources and records
Norfolk Mills page: Swanton Morley post windmill
WindmillWorld county list: Windmills of Norfolk
WindmillWorld county list: Windmills of Norfolk