Site overview

Corton Mill is a former wind-powered corn mill at Corton, Suffolk. It was built in 1837 as a six-storey tower mill with four patent sails, a boat-shaped cap, a six-bladed fantail, and two pairs of millstones. The mill was built with room for two further pairs of stones.

It ceased work before the First World War, with one account placing the end of working in the winter of 1906. In 1909 the sails were removed and the tower was reduced by one floor. The building was used for many years as a store and was later converted to residential accommodation.

The surviving tower is Grade II listed.

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

Corton Mill was erected in 1837 on Mill Lane at Corton. It was built as a six-storey tower mill for corn milling. The mill had four patent sails, a boat-shaped cap, and a six-bladed fantail.

Its sails had ten bays of three shutters and drove two pairs of French burr millstones, while the building was designed with room for two additional pairs of stones. The mill ceased work before the First World War; one account gives the winter of 1906 as the end of working. In 1909 the sails were removed and the tower was reduced by one storey.

After milling ended, the building was used for many years as a store. It was later converted to residential accommodation. The surviving tower is Grade II listed and remains as a converted former tower mill rather than as a complete working windmill.

Timeline

1837

Corton Mill built

Corton Mill was built in 1837 as a six-storey tower corn mill.
1906

Milling ceased

The mill ceased work during the winter of 1906.
1909

Sails removed

The sails were removed and the mill was reduced in height by one floor in 1909.
1992

Grade II listing

The former tower mill was added to the National Heritage List for England as a Grade II listed building.

Sources and records

Historic England listed building entry: Tower Mill, Mill Lane, Corton
Suffolk Heritage Explorer monument record: Corton tower mill
Wikipedia article: Corton Windmill
Windmill World entry: Corton windmill
Suffolk Mills Group index of Suffolk windmills