Tharston watermill was primarily built of weatherboard under a Norolk pantiled roof and was not a large mill. However additional warehouse space greatly added to its capacity in later years. In the early 1800s the wheel was driving 3 pairs of French burr stones that meant the mill was primarily producing flour. The deeds of Tharston Mill house date back to 1825.

In its heyday it was a successful mill and when it was remodelled in 1952, its capacity was doubled. It was finally taken over by Duffields who ran it up until closure in October 1970. Its biscuit flour milling, along with the business from Buxton Mill was then moved to the bigger site at Saxlingham Thorpe.

According to a newspaper sale advert in 1896 the mill was using an overshot wheel with a 9 foot fall. This type of wheel is comparatively rare in Norfolk due to the mainly gentle terrain. The only other mills to use this system that I have found so far were at Buxton (one of the two wheels) Foulden, Hingham, Mundesley and Weybourne.

By the end of the 1800s the wheel had been supplemented by a steam engine. The boiler house contained a 10hp boiler by Riches & Watts and an 8hp vertical high pressure engine, also by Riches & Watts.

In the early 1800s and possibly for several years before, the mill was worked in conjunction with a nearby post mill. It appears that this was later replaced by a brick tower mill. This new mill was in place and running with 2 pairs of stones by the 1890s.

THARSTON MILLS With immediate possession To be Sold by Auction By Wm. Burt
On Thursday March 8, 1810 At the Swan Inn, Long Stratton at 3 o'c.
A desirable ESTATE, lately occupied by the proprietor, Mr. Parslee deceased of Tharston near Long Stratton, Norfolk, comprising a Water Corn Mill with three pair of French Stones, Overshot Wheel, 9 foot fall, Post Windmill, comfortable Dwelling house, granary, stables & useful offices, with upwards of eight acres of meadow land of the first quality adjoining the mill.
The premises may be viewed at any time.
Apply to Mr. James Todd, Forncett, Mr. John Fox or the Auctioneer, Norwich.
Norfolk Chronicle - 10th, 17th & 24th February & 3rd March 1810

THE THARSTON WATER, STEAM & WIND MILLS ESTATE.
Messrs. Spelman have received instructions to Sell by Auction on Saturday July 18, 1896 at
2 for 3 o'c at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, the Freehold ESTATE known as Tharston Mills, situate on the road from Hapton to Tasburgh, about two miles from Flordon, Forncett & Ashwellthorpe Stations on the G.E.R., in the County of Norfolk, in the occupation of Mr. Alfred Phillipo, at the yearly rent of £105 comprising the Water & Steam Power Mills with Engine & Boiler house & fitted with a 10 horse power Boiler by Riches & Watts & 8 horse power Vertical High Pressure Engine by Riches & Watts, with all Steam Pipes & Fittings, a Centrifugal Scalper put up six years since by Riches & Watts, a Centrifugal Silk Flour Mill nearly new, a No. 1 Flour Mill & Sifter, three pairs of 4 ft. Stones etc.
The House contains... also adjoining are good Gardens. The Outbuildings comprise a Brick & Tile Cart-shed, 2 Open Sheds, Loose Box, Hay House, Harness House & Stable with 3 Stalls & Box; also adjoining are several Valuable Pastures of good quality & another Pasture next the road. At a short distance, standing at a considerable elevation is a Brick Tower Windmill with Two Pairs of Stones & other machinery, the whole containing about 9a. 0r. 13p.
Particulars of Messrs. Spelman, Norwich & Yarmouth; at the Estate Exchange, Tokenhouse Yard, E.C. & of Leathes Prior, Esq., Vendor's Solr. Norwich.
Norfolk Chronicle - 11th July 1896

On 3rd July 1970, the Mill, along with the Mill House, an adjoining cottage, modernised house and six acres of pasture beside the Tas were sold at auction in Norwich for £14,000 on the instructions of Duffields. It was bought by David and Joan Langridge of Coltishall who used builder J.N. Howard of Sprowston to convert the mill into a five bedroom house and the adjoining granary into a three bedroom house.

Some years later the modernised mill was advertised by Alan Ebbage & Partners for sale with offers expected to be in excess of £30,000. It came with 4 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms, full central heating, double garage and car ports along with 4 acres of land and a long river frontage.

The granary was sold at the Central Hall, Wymondham by auctioneers Alan Ebbage & Partners in May 1976 to a Mr. Brock for £13,800.

Tharston index of wills 1729: William Bridges

Faden's map 1797: Tharston Mills

Tharston poll book 1802: J. Parslee, also post windmill

1810: J. Parslee died

8th March 1810: Watermill and postmill sold at auction

1827 - 1828: Henry Spratt, miller - had moved to Lakenham Peafield towermill by 1830

White's 1836: William Brown, miller

Tharston index of wills 1837: Benjamin Ringer

White's 1845: Henry Hart, miller

White's 1854: Charles Cremer

White's 1864: Stephen Millett

Harrod's 1868: Stephen Millett

Harrod's 1872: Robert Palmer

Harrod's 1878: Robert Palmer

Kelly's 1879: Alfred Phillippo

Kelly's 1890: Alfred Phillippo

Kelly's 1892: Alfred Phillippo

Kelly's 1892: Alfred Phillippo

Kelly's 1896: Alfred T. Phillippo, wind & water

18th July 1896: Watermill and towermill sold at auction

Kelly's 1900: Francis Pearse & Son

Kelly's 1912: Francis Pearse & Son

1919: Duffields bought Tharston mill and sold Saxlingham Thorpe and Tasburgh mills

Kelly's 1922: William Lant Duffield

Kelly's 1929: William Lant Duffield, roller mill

Kelly's 1937: Wm. L. Duffield & Sons Ltd

1952: Mill remodelled by Duffields thereby doubling its capacity

October 1970: Mill closed

Friday 3rd July 1970: Mill along with the Mill house, other property and six acres sold at auction for £14,000

June 1986: Savills advertised the mill for sale with 4½ acres for a guide price of £145,000