—
Turbine pump used
The drainage mill drove a turbine pump to drain marshland beside the River Thurne.
Site overview
Martham Ferry drainage mill, also known as Martham Mill, stands beside the River Thurne near Martham Ferry. It was built in 1908 by Dan England of Ludham as a four-storey tower windpump. The mill drove a turbine pump and is part of the Broads drainage-mill landscape rather than the corn-milling history of Martham village.
Later evidence records the building as converted to residential or holiday-let use. It retains its identity as a former pumping mill, with the site publicly described in recent property material as a former pumping mill on the Norfolk Broads. The available sources establish the construction date, millwright, drainage purpose, turbine arrangement, and later domestic conversion, while giving less detail on the exact 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
Martham Ferry drainage mill was built on the River Thurne near Martham Ferry. It was constructed in 1908 by Dan England of Ludham, one of the England family of Broads millwrights. The mill was a four-storey tower drainage pump and drove a turbine pump, draining surrounding marshland rather than grinding corn.
Its position at Martham Ferry places it within the river-crossing and marsh-drainage landscape of the Thurne. Later accounts describe Martham Mill as a converted former pumping mill, with residential or holiday-let use replacing its original drainage function. The mill therefore survives as a reused drainage tower rather than as a preserved working windpump.
The identified evidence does not give a complete machinery inventory or a precise final working date, but it does confirm the 1908 construction, Dan England's role, the turbine-pump function, and the later conversion.
Timeline
1908
Martham Ferry mill built
Dan England of Ludham built the four-storey tower drainage mill at Martham Ferry.
2024
Former pumping mill offered for sale
The converted former pumping mill at Martham Ferry was advertised for sale after use as a holiday let.
Sources and records
Norfolk Mills page: Martham Ferry drainage windmill
WindmillWorld entry: Martham windmill
River Thurne historical account
Martham local history page: Windmills of Martham
WindmillWorld entry: Martham windmill
River Thurne historical account
Martham local history page: Windmills of Martham