Stow mill, situated on Stow Hill at Paston on the coast road near Mundesley, is often known as Paston mill. The imposing towermill was built as a flour mill in 1827 and was unusual in that it was designed from the start to look scenic, even to the extent of having dummy windows on each of the upper floors. The tower was originally white-painted, as the two older photographs show. Around 1850 a steam mill was added that drove a further 2 pairs of stones using a 5 h.p. engine.

The Origin of the name “Stow”

In 1113 William de Glanville founded the Bromholm Priory at Bacton a distance of 3 miles from here.
In 1223 a chaplain of the Emperor of Constantinople, who was killed in battle, came to England with important relics which had been owned by the deceased.
Most of these relics were sold to St. Alban’s Abbey but a piece reputedly of “The Cross of Our Lord” was rejected.
The piece was eventually taken to Bromholm where it was well received.
After its acquisition divine miracles began to happen at Bromholm and the priory became a centre for holy pilgrimage.
Bromholm was destroyed during the “dissolution of the monasteries” and only ruins can be seen today.
Here, on this site, was a medieval chapel where pilgrims travelling between Bromholm and Walsingham rested. This became known as Stow Chapel, “Stow” meaning resting place in old English.

ALL THAT messuage tenement or dwelling house with the yard and garden containing by admeasurement thirty perches or thereabouts ... AND ALSO all that pightle of land called the oak pightle otherwise the oak close threreto adjoining ... one acre one rood and siz perches or thereabouts TOGETHER with the tower windmill lately erected and built by the said Thomas Gaze on the same piece or parcel of land with the consent of the said James Gaze his father ... in Paston aforesaid and in Mundesley ...
Lease - 12th October 1827

MUNDESLEY AND PASTON

To be sold by Auction by order of the Executors of Thomas Gaze deceased by Mr. Thomas Barcham on Thursday 3 July 1873 at the King’s Arms Hotel, North Walsham at 6 o’clock. A BRICK TOWER WINDMILL in Paston in capital repair driving two pairs of stones, with flour mill, jumper and all necessary tackle and gear. Also a STEAM MILL erected a few years since driving two pairs of stones with the five horsepower Engine and apparatus thereto belonging. Also a comfortable Brick and Tile RESIDENCE with the Granaries, Stable, Cart lodge and Outhouses thereto belonging. Freehold. The Mill is now doing a flourishing business. Possession at Michaelmas next.
Norfolk Chronicle - 14th June 1873

c.1960 the property was bought by Northamptonshire businessman C. M. Newton. In 1971 the mill was conveyed to C.M. Newton’s grandson, Mike Newton, who enlarged the barn behind the mill and converted it to his home. With the help of admission fees and fundraising appeals he undertook the maintenance of the mill and with substantial restoration it returned the mill to its former appearance.

In 1980 the skeleton fantail was replaced by a fully working version and repair work was carried out to the curb castings enabling the cap to turn to face the wind once again after fifty years fixed facing South. The sails were then also able to turn on a windy day, even though they lacked the shutters that would have been fitted when the mill was working.

In 1986 an upright shaft, wallower and crown wheel were installed, coming from Houghton mill in Bedfordshire. Other parts were also salvaged from derelict mills and await installation including two pairs of millstones from Nedging Tye, Suffolk and a great spur wheel from Gooderstone mill in Norfolk.

The sails and the stocks that carry them were also replaced. One pair of the replaced sails originally came from Hellesdon Press Lane towermill in Norwich when it was demolished in 1920 but they had to be shortened by two bays in order to fit. The new stocks were made from galvanised steel, which it was hoped would prove far more durable than the previous pine ones.

The exposed position of Stow Mill and the salt air resulted in the need for extensive repairs and maintenance from the 1980s onwards.

Paston smockmill once stood some 1¾ miles to the south of Stow mill.

1827: Mill built for James Gaze and handed over to son Thomas Pleasants Gaze

White's 1845: Thomas Gaze, miller

c.1850: Auxiliary steam power installed to drive two additional pairs of stones

White's 1864: Thomas Gaze, miller & farmer, Stow Hill

14th November 1872: Thomas Gaze died and mill put to auction before being taken on by Thomas' son William

1906: William Gaze died

1906: Mill bought by Mrs. A. Harper and run by her cousin Thomas Livermore

1930: Mill bought by Mr. & Mrs. Bell. Mill machinery removed and mill converted into annexe for the house

c.1960: After several ownership changes, mill bought by Northamptonshire businessman C. M. Newton

1971: C. M. Newton conveyed mill to grandson Mike Newton

1980: Skeleton fantail replaced by fully working version. Repairs allowed the sails to once more turn into wind

1986: Upright shaft, wallower and crown wheel replaced with units from other mills

January 1999: Mill bought by Roger and Andrea Hough and remains open to the public - see Links page

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2004