Norfolk Mills - Gorleston Cliff Hill windmill

Gorleston
Cliff Hill
towermill

c.1880

Gorleston Cliff Hill tower mill stood just to the west of Cliff Hill on the north side of Springhill Road and was probably accessed from Springhill Road. The mill was sometimes known as Beevor's Mill or Pier Mill.The six storey mill had a Norfolk boat shaped cap, four double shuttered patent sails and a fantail. In 1844 the sails were powering 2 pairs of stones, flour mills and 2 jumpers but by 1859 3 pairs of stones were in use.

In 1864 timber sawing gear was attached to the mill to provide an alternative trade income.

Mill House c.1900

GORLESTON
Desirable Situation. To be LET with Immediate Possession
A Very Superior TOWER WINDMILL situate at Gorleston in Suffolk.
Apply to Mr. John Baker, Solr. Great Yarmouth or Mr. J. M. Murry, Gorleston, Suffolk. (letters to be post paid)
Norfolk Chronicle - 7th July 1838

GORLESTON
To be Sold by Auction by W. D. Pettingill at the Feathers Inn,
Gorleston on Thursday 18 July 1838 at 7 o'c
(Under a Conveyance in Trust to Sell)
A Capital newly erected Brick TOWER WINDMILL situate in Gorleston in Suffolk, now in the occupation of Mr. Charles King..
Apply to Mr. John Baker, Solr. or to the Auctioneer, Great Yarmouth.
Norfolk Chronicle - 13th July 1839

GORLESTON
To be Let
A Capital newly built Brick TOWER WINDMILL with Patent Sails, situate in Gorleston, Suffolk.
The above Mill is in excellent repair and in good Trade.
Apply to Mr. Charles Leggett, Pilot, Gorleston, or to Mr. Woods, Solr. King Street, Great Yarmouth.
Norfolk Chronicle - 19th October 1839

GORLESTON
TOWER WIND-MILL
To be Sold or Let
With Immediate Possession
A newly erected substantail Brick TOWER WIND-MILL driving two pairs of Stones, in the largely populated village of Gorleston.
Apply to Alexander Woods, Esq., Solicitor, Mr. Joseph Davey, Auctioneer, Regent St. Great Yarmouth or to Mr. Charlesw Leggatt, Gorleston.
Norwich Mercury - 21st March 1840

To let with immediate possession
at Gorleston
A fine brick TOWER WINDMILL and cottage, stable and cart shed and land for garden.
Apply Mary Leggett, Widow, Gorleston.
Norfolk Chronicle - 26th June 1841

YARMOUTH, Gorleston
To Millers
To be Let With Immediate Possession
A capital Brick TOWER WINDMILL in full trade, with Patent Sails driving two pair of Stones, and eligibly situated on Gorleston Hill, together with a capital Dwelling house adjoining, Stable, Cart shed, Garden etc.
Apply to Worship & Son, Solrs. Great Yarmouth or to Mr. Pitcher, the present occupier.
Norfolk Chronicle - 6th & 13th August 1842

Tithe Award 1842 Owner: Charles Leggett Occupier: Christopher Pleasants
No. 595	Mill & plot	0a. 1r. 14p.	9d.

Tithe map of 1842 as redrawn by Harry Apling

GORLESTON
TOWER WIND-MILL
To be Sold by Auction by Mr. B. Rix on Wednesday 6 December 1843 at 6 o'c at the Star Inn, Yarmouth.
All that Freehold Property comprising a substantial Brick built TOWER WINDMILL with six floors, Patent Sails, 2 pair of French Burnt Stones, Flour Mill, Jumper and other requisites Going Gears with comfortable new brick built Dwelling House . . . Stable Cart shed and a large piece of Garden Ground.
Situate in the populous parish of Gorleston in the county of Suffolk and now occupied by Messrs. I. & R. Green whose tenancy expires at Michaelmas next.
Freehold. Subject only to Land tax of 2s. per annum.
Apply to Mr. A. Woods, Solr. or to Mr. B. Rix, both of Yarmouth.
Norfolk Chronicle - 2nd December 1843

Peremptory Sale
GORLESTON near Yarmouth
To be Sold by Auction by Mr. B. Rix on Wednesday 9 October 1844 at 6 o'c at the Star Hotel, Quay, Great Yarmouth.
Without Reserve (by direction of the Mortgagee)
All that capital Freehold Property comprising a substantial brick built TOWER WINDMILL, 6 floors, patent sails, 2 pairs of French Burr Stones, Flour Mill and Jumper and other requisites going gears, with a comfortable new brick built Dwelling House . . .
Also a stable and cart shed and a large Piece of Garden Ground, situate in the populous parish of Gorleston in the county of Suffolk and now occupied by Messrs. J. & R. Green at the yearly rent of £50.
Possession may be had at Lady day next.
The Mill is advanageously situated for Corn Markets and for the Shipment of Flour. The building is substantial and the Machinery in good condition. A good trade connection now attached to her and is capable of further expansion. The Property is Freehold and subject only to Land Tax of 2s. per annum.
Particulars of Mr. Woods, Solr. or to Mr. B. Rix, both of Yarmouth.
Norfolk Chronicle - 28th September & 5th October 1844

Sale of Brick built Tower Windmill, in the popular District of GORLESTON, near GREAT YARMOUTH
To Be Sold By Auction by
Mr. Jas Crisp by direction of the Trustees under the Assignment of Mr Robert Butcher late of Geldeston in Norfolk, on Thursday 16 of June, 1864 at 2 for 3 o'c precisely at The Duke's Head Inn, Great Yarmouth.
All that substantially Brick built TOWER WINDMILL with Four Patent Sails, containing six Floors and driving three pairs of French Burr Stones, with Jumper and Flour Mill and the requisite going Gear in good working order and works attached for Sawing Timber, also in good repair, together with a convenient Brick built and Tiled DWELLING HOUSE, Granary, Stables, and Outbuildings, large Yard and a piece of ARABLE LAND adjoining. The Mill winds herself. The whole Premises are in excellent repair and are eligibly situate for Trade. The Property is sold subject to an Annuity.
For Particulars and Conditions of Sale apply to Mr W. R. Seago, Solicitor, Lowestoft, or to the Auctioneer at Beccles.
Norfolk News - 28th May, 4th & 11th June 1864

Sale of a Brick Built Tower Wind-Mill, in the popular district of GORLESTON, near GT. YARMOUTH, To Be Sold By Auction, By Mr James Crisp, By direction of the Trustees under the Assignment of Mr Robert Butcher, late of Geldeston, in Norfolk, On Thursday, The 16th of June, 1864, at 2 for 3 o'Clock precisely, At The Duke's Head Inn, Great Yarmouth. All that substantial Brick Built Tower WINDMILL with Four Patent Sails; containing Six Floors, and driving Three Pairs of French Burr Stones, with Jumper and Flour Mill, and the requisite going Gear in good working order; and the Works attached for Sawing Timber, also in good repair; together with a convenient Brick Built and Tiled DWELLING HOUSE, Granary, Stables, and Outbuildings, large Yard and a piece of ARABLE LAND adjoining. The Mill winds herself; the whole Premises are in excellent repair, and are eligibly situate for Trade. The property is sold subject to an annuity.
For Particulars and Conditions of Sale apply to Mr W. R. Seago, Solicitor, Lowestoft, or to the Auctioneer, at Beccles.
Beccles & Bungay Weekly News - 7th June 1864

To Let
TOWER WINDMILL driving three pair of Stones, situate at Gorleston, near Yarmouth
Apply J. Gambling, Buxton.
Norfolk News - 25th August, 1st & 8th September 1866

To Let
EXCELLENT TOWER WINDMILL driving three pairs of French Stones, in good repair, with a good Trade and in a first class locality for Business.
Apply J. Gambling, Buxton.
Norfolk News - 24th & 31st August, 7th & 14th September 1867

Situations Vacant
WANTED, a middle aged strong and honest MILLER to work the Windmill at the Pier, Gorleston.
Apply H. H. Gambling, Yarmouth or Norwich Corn Hall.
Norfolk News - 18th September 1869

POOR RATE 1870
Parish of Gorleston with the Hamlet of Southtown in the Counties of Suffolk & Norfolk
Made 11 May 1870 at 4d. in the £.
Owner: John H. Gambling
Occupier: Horace H. Gambling

Mill & Land, The Hill 2r. 30p.
Gross Estimate Rental
Rateable Value

3 months Poor Rate at 4d.

£30.
£20.

6s. 8d.

. . . GORLESTON Messrs. Spelman have received instructions from the Executors of the late Mr. H. H. Gambling to Sell by Auction on Wednesday, November 16, 1887 at 3 for 4 o'c at the Star Hotel, Great Yarmouth, in 17 Lots.
Lot 1. Lot 7. Lot 8. Lots 9, 10 & 11 Lots 12 to 17 Lots 7 to 17	Steam Flour Mills, (Southtown) Dwelling house . . . Building site . . . Building Sites Six Building Sites Site of the Pier Mill etc. in Gorleston
Particulars of Messrs. A. E. & W. H. Cowl, Solrs. Great Yarmouth and of the Auctioneers at Norwich & Great Yarmouth. Norfolk Chronicle - 29th October - 12th November 1887

Southtown, GREAT YARMOUTH
Near the Foot of the Bridge and Cliff Hill, Gorleston
Messrs. Spelman have received instructions from the Executors of the late
H. H. Gambling and from Mrs. Gambling to Sell by Auction on Wednesday July 4, 1888 at 3 for 4 o'c in the afternoon at the Star Hotel, Great Yarmouth
Lot 1.
THE STEAM FLOUR MILL . . . Southtown . . .
Lot 7.
A DWELLING HOUSE, STABLES, STORE and a Brick Tower WINDMILL and BUILDING GROUND at Cliff Hill, Gorleston.
Particulars & Conditions of Sale may be had of
Messrs. A. E. & W. H. Cowl,
Solicitors, Great Yarmouth and of the Auctioneers at Norwich and Great Yarmouth.
Norfolk Chronicle - 23rd & 30th June 1888

What must have been an exceptionally fine landmark for mariners was William Beevor's mill on Cliff Hill. This mill stood upon the site of four houses known later as Mill Terrace next to the Mill House. George Aldous and James Laws were the millers. The mill was demolished in 1887.
H. B. Johnson, Local Wind-Mills, Yarmouth Mercury - January 1928
N.B. William Beevor's mill was actually in Beccles Road (High Road)


Mill granary 6th May 2002	Granary 2007

By 2007 the converted granary had been renamed Polly's Cottage

Granary 2007

O. S. Map 1883 - windmill centre bottom
Courtesy of NLS map images

O.S. map 1837: Windmill

July 1838: Mill advertised to be let

1839: Charles King, miller

July 1839: Mill advertised for sale by auction

October 1839: Mill advertised to be let

March 1840: Mill advertised by owner Charles Leggatt, to be sold or let

June 1841: Mill advertised to be let by owner widow, Mary Leggett

Tithe Award 1842: Owner, Charles Leggett; Occupier, Christopher Pleasants, miller

1842: Mr. Pitcher, miller

August 1842: Mill advertised to be let

1843: I. & R. Green, tenant millers

December 1843: Mill advertised for sale by auction

1844: J. & R. Green, tenant millers

September 1844: Mill advertised for sale by auction

1850: Robert Sawyer Green, miller

July 1853: Repairs carried out to the mill for H. Gambling by Smithdales

1854: Robert Sawyer Green, miller

1856: Robert Sawyer Green, miller

1863: George Aldous, miller

1864: George Aldous, miller

May 1864: Mill advertised for sale by auction

1865: George Aldous, miller

1866: Mill owned by J. Gambling of Buxton

August 1866: Mill adverised to be let

1867: Mill owned by J. Gambling of Buxton

August 1867: Mill adverised to be let

1869: H. H. Gambling, miller

Poor Rate 1870: Owner John Gambling; Occupier Horace H. Gambling

O.S. map 1883: Pier Windmill (Corn)

O.S. map 1885: Windmill

October 1887: Mill and site advertised for sale by auction

1887-78: Mill demolished

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Nat Grid Ref TG52850351

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