Saxtead Green Post Mill, Suffolk (Suffolk)
This corn mill was built in the late 13th century. Though milling ceased in 1947, it is still in working order.
Introduction
This corn mill, whose whole body revolves on its base, was one of many built in Suffolk from the late 13th century. Though milling ceased in 1947, it is still in working order.
History to the present day
Saxted Green Mill dates back to at least 1796 when the miller was Amos Webber. In 1810, the Mill House was built for Robert Holmes. The mill was raised a total of three times during its working life. The mill was tailwinded c.1853. As a result of this, the mill was completely rebuilt in 1854 by Whitmore and Binyon, the Wickham Market millwrights. New cast iron machinery was fitted, and the layout of the machinery changed from Head and Tail to Breast stones. It was in this year that the mill was raised for the third time. Collins, the Melton millwright worked on the mill in the 1870s and Whitmore and Binyon again worked on the mill in the 1890s. From 1926 millwright Jesse Wightman was responsible for repairs until the mill ceased working commercially on the death of the last miller in 1947.
The mill passed to Mr S C Sullivan, who presented it to the Ministry of Works in 1951. The mill was completely rebuilt between 1957 and 1960 under the supervision of Jesse Wightman. A replacement crowntree was obtained from a windmill at Wetheringsett which had been demolished. The mill is now in the care of English Heritage[4] The buck was rebuilt with new larger windows to admit more light. A lightning conductor was fitted at this time.
The mill is currently under repair, with one pair of sails under repair and a new pair of sails being made.
Saxted Green Mill is a post mill with a three storey roundhouse. The mill has four Patent sails carried on a cast iron windshaft and is winded by a fantail. The mill hs two pairs of millstones in the breast. All the machinery is of cast iron except the Brake Wheel, which is of oak.
Arrival information and how to find us
Address: Saxtead Green Post Mill, Suffolk, , United Kingdom
Opening times:
1 Apr-30 Sep: 12pm-5pm Fri, Sat, & Bank Hols.
Prices:
Adult:£3.30
Children:£1.70
Concession:£2.80
Photographs are copyright of the English Heritage Photo Library
