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Tower converted
The surviving tower was later adapted from milling use to residential use.
Site overview
Martham Hemsby Road tower mill was built shortly after the older nearby post mill suffered a fire around 1789. The four-storey tarred-brick mill was built with two pairs of stones, and a third pair was later added. A steam engine was also installed to drive a further pair of stones, while the sails powered a flour mill, jumper, and smut machine.
The tower mill and nearby post mill were both associated with William Crowe in the early 1840s tithe award and had been offered for sale together in 1834. The site continued through nineteenth-century milling use. The surviving tower was later adapted to residential use, preserving the main tower form while the working machinery history remains represented through documentary evidence.
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
Martham Hemsby Road tower mill was built a short distance south east of the older post mill after that post mill suffered a fire around 1789. The new mill was a four-storey tarred-brick tower mill. It was built with two pairs of stones, but a third pair was added in later years.
A steam engine was also installed to drive a further pair of stones. The sails powered a flour mill, jumper, and smut machine, showing that the tower mill worked as a developed corn-milling site with both wind and auxiliary power. The earlier post mill was also rebuilt, and its roundhouse was later used as a storehouse by the owners of the tower mill.
In 1811 an advertisement sought a man who understood working a tower windmill at Martham. In 1834 the tower mill and nearby post mill were offered for sale together. The tithe award of the early 1840s recorded William Crowe as occupier of both mills.
The sources establish the construction context, machinery, relationship with the older post mill, and later auxiliary power. The tower survives as a converted structure, although the detailed final working date is not clear in the identified sources.
Timeline
1789
Tower mill built after post-mill fire
The tower mill was built shortly after the nearby post mill suffered a fire around 1789.
1811
Tower mill worker sought
A notice sought a man who understood working a tower windmill at Martham.
1834
Tower and post mills offered for sale
The Martham tower mill and nearby post mill were offered for sale together.
1840–1843
William Crowe recorded as occupier
The tithe award recorded William Crowe as occupier of both the tower mill and the nearby post mill.
Sources and records
Norfolk Mills page: Martham Hemsby Road tower windmill
Martham local history page: Windmills of Martham
WindmillWorld county list: Windmills of Norfolk
Martham local history page: Windmills of Martham
WindmillWorld county list: Windmills of Norfolk