1822
Tower mill built
Stembridge Tower Mill was built in 1822 as a corn mill at High Ham.
Site overview
Stembridge Tower Mill is a Grade II* listed tower mill at High Ham in Somerset and is cared for by the National Trust. Built in 1822, it is described as the last remaining thatched windmill in England and the last survivor of five windmills in the local area. The mill was built as a corn mill, with a four-storey Blue Lias stone tower, thatched cap, four common sails, wooden windshaft with cast-iron cross, wheel-and-chain winding, and two pairs of millstones.
Steam power was added in 1894, and after storm damage in 1897 or 1898 the mill was worked by steam rather than wind. Commercial milling ended in the early twentieth century. The mill passed to the National Trust in 1969 and was restored in the 1970s and again in 2009.
It is currently closed for conservation reasons.
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
Stembridge Tower Mill was built in 1822 at High Ham, Somerset, incorporating parts from the earlier Ham Mill nearby. It was constructed as a corn mill with a four-storey local Blue Lias stone tower and a thatched cap, a form once more common in Somerset but now exceptional. The mill had four common sails, a wooden windshaft with a cast-iron cross, wheel-and-chain winding, and two pairs of four-foot millstones.
Its early ownership is associated with Robert Tatchell and the Sherrin family, with later named millers including Simon Spearing and George Parker. A portable steam engine was added as auxiliary power in 1894. Storm damage in 1897 or 1898 ended regular wind operation, after which the mill was powered by steam.
Commercial use ended in 1908 according to the detailed mill history, while some summaries give 1910. In 1969 Professor Hugh Hale Bellot left the windmill, miller's cottage, and garden to the National Trust. New sails were added in 1971, further repair followed in 1974, and the mill was designated Grade II* in 1986.
A major restoration in 2009 replaced sails and thatch and reopened the mill later that year. The National Trust currently records the mill as closed for conservation reasons.
Timeline
1894
Steam power added
A steam engine was installed as auxiliary power for the mill.
1897–1898
Wind operation damaged by storm
Storm damage in 1897 or 1898 left the mill operating by steam rather than wind.
1908
Commercial milling ended
The mill was last used commercially in 1908 according to the detailed mill history.
1969
Transferred to National Trust
The windmill, miller's cottage, and garden were left to the National Trust.
1971
New sails added
New sails were added as part of post-closure repair work.
1986
Grade II* designation recorded
The mill was designated as a Grade II* listed building.
2009
Major restoration completed
The sails were replaced, the mill was re-thatched, and the restored mill reopened later in 2009.
Sources and records
National Trust visitor information for Stembridge Tower Mill
Historic England National Heritage List for England entry for Stembridge Mill
Wikipedia article: Stembridge Mill, High Ham
List of National Trust properties in Somerset
List of windmills in Somerset
Historic England National Heritage List for England entry for Stembridge Mill
Wikipedia article: Stembridge Mill, High Ham
List of National Trust properties in Somerset
List of windmills in Somerset