Briningham smockmill was built by Sir Jacob Astley, 1st Baronet, of Melton Constable Hall in 1721 and a tablet over what was the east door that later became a window bears the inscription IA 1721. The mill did not work for long and Sir Edward Astley, the 4th Baronet replaced the 2 storey wooden tower with a cylindrical 3 storey brick tower at some time between 1771 and 1780. This new tower was built over the existing 3 storey brick octagonal base and was castellated with conical cupola roof to a height of around 50 feet. The base is the only one of its type in the county and is also the oldest base in the county.

3 storey octagonal brick base.
At ground level each side 10ft. giving external diameter, wall to wall, about 24 ft.
Walls are staggered in four sections, the three lower ones being vertical, heights of 7ft. 6 ins. & 7ft. & the fourth sloping inwards slightly, 9ft. high, about 29 feet in all.
This is surmounted by a cylindrical 3 storey brick tower, residential only, about 21 feet high, set in slightly from the centres of the walls, corners of which were chamfered towards the tower. (Query original or recent)
As remaining, tower about 50ft. high.
Doorwayto west, double doors.
Original dorway to east converted to window.
Original wiondows on 1st floor:- east, still open, south & west bricked up.
Doors & original windows hav ebrick arches; later windows all squared.

Jacob ASTLEY, 1st Baronet)
Harry Apling - 1975

The windmill was the first recorded windmill in Norfolk to ever be converted to residential use and became a residential folly known as Belle Vue Tower.

... Melton ... Sir Edward Ashley at this place has a large park ... From a windmill near the park is a prodigious view of a rich woodland country, fully intemixed with cornfields & wanting nothing but a river to be complete.
Arthur Young, The Farmer's Tour through the East of England - 1771

Melton Constable
The tower, now called Belle-view was originally a windmill; it is commodiously fitted up; the apartments and furniture elegant & the look out at the top affords a prospect of sea & land twenty five miles each way.
Armstrong, History & Antiquities of the County of Norfolk - 1781

On the north side of the parish is a tower called Belle Vue, belonging to Lord Hastings, and commanding extensive views.
White's Directory - 1845

On the north side of the parish is a tower about 60 feet high, called Belle Vue, as it commands extensive prospects.  It is the property of Lord Hastings, and is occupied by his gamekeeper.
White's Directory - 1883

Briningham smockmill was the highest windmill in Norfolk and enjoyed remarkable views of some 25 miles across rural North Norfolk. It stood on ground over 300 feet above sea level and was slightly higher than
Upper Sheringham postmill.

The mill was in Mill Lane and was situated above the site of two postmills that were further down the same lane.

Having become derelict of the course of time the tower was being renovated by Mr. P. Wellard of South Creake at around the time it was put up for sale in 1980.

SPALDING & CO.,
Chartered Surveyors and Estate Agents
8 Oak Street, Fakenham.
BRININGHAM
Unique property in complete seclusion with 9 acres woodland. 6-storey tower building with modern addition comprising hall, laundry room, lounge/dining room, kitchen, cloakroom, bedroom, Requiring completion of conversion and modernisation. Garage £65,000
Eastern Daily Press - 12th July 1980

Work incomplete, seems to have stopped some time ago. Inside walls of rooms in round tower have been made octagonal in plan to match smock mill base.
Water tanks in new top floor look-out.
Access to property very bad after recent rainy weather.
Harry Apling - 8th May 1981

To Whom it may Concern

JOHN MARSH FRICS Holt
For Sale
Offers in excess of £200,000.
Has been listed Grade 2 as being of outstanding architectural or historical interest and as such is described as a Smock Mill.
Eastern Daily Press - 29th May 1987

SAVILLS Upper King St., Norwich
NR. HOLT
Elizabethan "Standing" or Folly with 18th century additions, beautifully converted into a family House with outstandiong views and about 9 acres.
Excess of £200,000
Eastern Daily Press - 4th September 1987

JOHN MARSH FRICS (Holt)
BRININGHAM £200,000.
Unique and historic original Smock Mill standing in splendid isolation with 9acres of woodland. Six-storey mill tower giving panoramic views. Joint sole agents with Messrs. Savills.
Eastern Daily Press - 25th September 1987
Advert overprinted SALE AGREED

Mill advertised again in the EDP by John Marsh on 24th October 1987, indicating that the previous SALE AGREED had fallen through.

1721: Mill built and became the highest mill in Norfolk

1771-1780: Mill ceased to work and was converted from a wooden smockmill to a brick tower residence

Faden's map 1797: Belle View

Bryant's map 1826: Belle View

1975: Mill derelict but under restoration by Mr. Wellard of South Creake

Telephone Directory 1980: Wellerd, P. Belle Vue Tower, Mill Lane, Briston. Melton Constable 328

1980: Mill renovated and sold by Mr. P. Wellard of South Creake

1985: Benita Hide

1987: Mill advertised for sale

2005: Mill known as Belle Vue and retained as a private residence

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2006