Sutton mill was built in 1789 with 8 floors. When it was rebuilt after the fire of 1861 an additional floor was added and the common sails were replaced by patent sails. The nine storey mill was topped by a traditional Norfolk boat shaped cap and had a gallery and petticoat. By 2005, Sutton mill had become the tallest remaining windmill in the UK.

Sutton's 9 storey tower was about 67' 6" to the curb and 79' 6" to the top of the Norfolk boat shaped cap with a chain pole. The stocks were 12ins. square at the centre. The four double shuttered sails, struck by rack and pinion had a span of 73 feet and were 9ft. 4ins. wide. Each sail had 9 bays of 3 shutters and at one time they were recorded with 10 bays of 3 shutters.
The left handed, 10 bladed fantail, was 12 feet in diameter.
The windshaft was 18ins. diameter at its neck and 13ins. at the brakewheel.
The 9ft. diameter, 8 armed brakewheel was made of iron with 88 cogs and the shanks were dovetail wedged.
The brake lever had a multiplying gear that was used to increase the mechanical advantage, to produce a ratio of 4½ to 1.
The cast iron wallower on the 8th (dust) floor had 31 cogs.
The stone nuts with 30 teeth were the largest iron mortise nuts Rex Wailes had ever seen.
Four pairs of stones were situated on the 6th floor although Harry Apling mentions that they were on the 5th floor and that by 1926 a further pair of stones were set on the 2nd floor.
The sack hoist was driven by a belt from below using a pulley to drum connection via a universal joint to correct the alignment from the drive supplied by the crown wheel on the 7th floor.

On the sixth floor of the tower there were 4 sets of stones, more than any other mill in the country. The walls were over 3 feet thick, the tower outside diameter was 33 feet and the diameter at the curb was 16 feet.

Unusually, the 8 storey mill was built on the site of an earlier towermill that burnt down in 1789. When rebuilt, the mill was large enough to use 4 common sails to power 4 pairs of stones, 2 flour mills, jumper and cylinder. However, by 1858, the common sails had been replaced by 4 patent sails. A stage was set around the tower on the 5th floor.

In 1857 the mill was producing 10 to 12 score or lasts per week, this being equal to 200 to 240 coomb sacks, meaning each pair of stones was producing 50 to 60 coombs per week.
In 1858 production had increased to 12 to 14 lasts per week, being equal to 240 to 280 coomb sacks, each set of stones thus producing 60 to 70 coombs each.

The mill suffered a serious fire in 1861 and was then hit by lightning on Monday 4th July 1875 at 4.00 p.m. with the lightning bolt hitting one of the sails and then passing down through the centre of the mill via the sack chain. Some of the staff were within three feet of the chain at the time but escaped injury. However, the mill was again struck by lightning in 1940 when the sails were hit, causing a fire. The mill, which by this time had given up grinding corn and was exclusively producing animal feed, ceased to work from that time.

Mill shown as large towermill with a stage.
The Award also included Ingham_postmill that was just inside the same parish.

To Millers and Maltsters
SUTTON near Stalham. to be let
For a term of years and entered upon immediately
A very capital TOWER WINDMILL having eight floors, driving four pairs of stones and fitted up with all necessary Machinery, capable of doing from 10 to 12 score per week.
Also a 20 coomb Steep Malting House adjoining with Barley Bins and all requisite Storerooms.
A good trade has been carried on for many years upon the above Premises which are situate in a populous neighbourhood within three quarters of a mile of the navigable river and about one mile from Stalham where an excellent corn market has been established and is well attended being one of the finest districts for corn in Norfolk.
etc. etc.
Apply to Mr. Bygrave at the Brewery or to Mr. John Bygrave, jun. at the Mill, Sutton, near Stalham.
Norfolk Chronicle - 10th October & Norfolk News - 26th September & 3rd October 1857

To be Let
A Superior Windmill, Malting, excellent Family Residence, Agricultural Buildings and about 90 acres of Land
SUTTON, near Stalham.
Wm. Spelman & Sons are instructed by the Proprietor, Mr. Bygrave to let for a Term with possession at Michaelmas next the following important Mercantile PROPERTY situate at Sutton.
A Brick Tower Windmill, eight floors in height with four patent sails drives four pairs of stones, two flour mills, jumper, cylinder, two meal hoppers holding about twelve sacks each, also a counting-room, barley store, granaries, paint shop and large store room.
A Malting of 25 coomb steep, kilns, drying room, malt office and stores.
Residence ...
Agricultural Buildings ...
and 90 acres in Sutton and Hickling.
The above Property offers many advantages. The Mill stands well for wind, has superior tackle of every description and is capable of doing from 12 - 14 lasts per week.
etc.
Particulars of the Proprietor, Sutton, Stalham, and of Messrs. Spelman, Norwich and Yarmouth.
Norfolk Chronicle & Norfolk News - 31st July, 14th August 1858

To be Let
A Superior Windmill, Malting, excellent Family Residence, Agricultural Buildings and about 90 acres of Land
SUTTON, near Stalham.
Wm. Spelman & Sons are instructed by the Proprietor, Mr. Bygrave to let for a Term with possession at Michaelmas next the following important Mercantile PROPERTY situate at Sutton.
A Brick Tower Windmill, eight floors in height with four patent sails drives four pairs of stones, two flour mills, jumper, cylinder, two meal hoppers holding about twelve sacks each, also a counting-room, barley store, granaries, paint shop and large store room.
A Malting of 25 coomb steep, kilns, drying room, malt office and stores.
An excellent Family Residence (a part of which the proprietor will retain if desired), spacious Agricultural Buildings, Cottage and about 83 acres Arable Land and Marshes.
Particulars may be had of Messrs. Keith, Blake & Keith, Solicitors, Norwich and of the Auctioneers, Norwich and Yarmouth.
Norfolk Chronicle & Norfolk News - 4th September 1858

Mill and Cart horses etc.
SUTTON near Stalham
On Thursday October 7th.
The FARMING STOCK and other property of Mr. J. Bygrave, Junior, upon the premises in his occupation at Sutton next Stalham ...
Sale to commence at 12 o'c at noon punctually.
Norfolk News - 2nd October 1858

To Painters
Any Person wishing to contract for the PAINTING of a large WINDMILL and other work at the Parish of Sutton, are requested to apply to John Bygrave, New Brewery of the same place.
Norfolk News - 16th July 1859

Situations Vacant
TO MILLERS
WANTED, a strong active Single Man as MILLER
Apply to T. Worts, Sutton or at Stand No. 51, Corn Hall, Norwich.
Norfolk News - 11th November 1871

SUTTON - THUNDERSTORM
Mr J. Worts' wind mill was struck by lightning, considerably damaging one sail. The electric fluid appears to have struck the sail, then entered the mill on the sack tackling chain to the first floor, shattering a large beam and joint then made its escape by the door to the ground floor. Mr Worts' son and six men had a miraculous escape. They were standing together within two or three feet of the hole that was shattered and none received any injury. They were all very much frightened and some appeared quite stunned, but soon recovered.
Local newspaper -19th July 1875

SUTTON. Thunderstorm.
On Monday (19th) about four, a very severe thunderstorm broke over the parish of Sutton and continued for some time, accompanied with heavy rain. Mr J. Worts' windmill was struck by the lightning. One sail was considerably damaged. The electric fluid appears to have struck the sail, then entered the mill at the neck and passed down the centre of the mill in the sack tackling chain to the first floor. It then made its way down the chain, cut a hole through the boarded floor, shattering a large beam joist and made its escape by the door of the ground floor. Mr Worts' son and six men had a miraculous escape. They were standing together within two or three feet of the hole that was shattered and none received any injury, they were all very much frightened and some appeared quite stunned, but soon recovered.
Norfolk News - 24th July 1875

AGIST STOCK
LUDHAM HALL MARSHES
A LIMITED number of HORSE STOCK taken in for the season from 12 May to November 1st. Yearlings 60s.; 2 year old 70s.; 3 year old 80s.
Apply T. Worts, Sutton Mill, Stalham.
Eastern Daily Press - 11th & 12th April 1894

re Fire at Stalham_smock_mill:-
Such a fire in this district has not occured since 1861 when Mr. T. Worts' mill at Sutton was totally destroyed.
Eastern Daily Press - 7th January 1903

The tallest windmill still standing in Britain is the nine storey Sutton Mill in Norfolk, built in 1853 which before being struck by lightning in 1941 had sails 73 ft. in diameter with 216 shutters.
Guinness Book of Records - 1982

The mill was bought by Chris Nunn in 1975 and was restored to become a museum in its own right, quite apart from the Broads Museum housed in the surrounding complex. The Broads Museum housed an incredible collection of artifacts from a variety of trades and collections including old domestic utensils, kitchen appliances, woodworking tools, razors, leather trades, soaps & cleaners, trade tricycles, veterinary & animal instruments, traps, historical tobacco products, large engines, marsh & water implements, early cameras, TV's & radios and a complete Victorian pharmacy.

Chris Nunn did much to restore the mill including the installation of new Honduran pine stocks. However by 2004, the mill was beginning to become dilapidated and was in need of a considerable amount of restoration work.

I went to Sutton mill in about 2004 and it was in a serious condition and there was quite a lot of problems. The staging was rotten and access was forbidden and there was a lot of rot in places. The cap leaked like a colander and if you wanted to access the fan-stage you had to use stairs created from 2 Workmates, several boxes and the windshaft itself and then the stage itself had a lot of rot and looked unsafe.
Andrew White - 21st July 2006

Eastern Daily Press Wednesday 11th May 2005: Mill and museum advertised for sale as going concern

It is one of the tallest windmills in the country and could be a spectacular icon of the Broads, as it was for many years. Instead, Sutton Mill is looking considerably the worse for wear and there are no signs of it returning to a good condition any time soon. The grade II* listed mill near Stalham is a key Norfolk building but is on the county council’s Buildings at Risk Register because it is deemed to have been under-maintained for years and is not watertight. The upper floors are unsafe to enter, the traditional Norfolk boat-shaped cap is leaky and the sails are broken. It hasn't been in use as a working mill since 1940, when it was producing animal feed having ceased
flour production sometime earlier. For 30 years Chris Nunn owned the mill on New Road and its surrounding buildings, using the site to house his Museum of the Broads until he sold up a couple of years ago. Last year the mill and its surrounding complex were taken over by the bygones museum Yesterday’s World. Manager Andy Glynn, who is based at Yarmouth, said last August: “We have only just taken over - we opened in April - and as far as our plans are concerned we will look at it properly in the winter.” But last week he said that no progress had been made.
Keiron Pim, Eastern Daily Press - 9th July 2008

In 2007 the upper floors of the Grade II listed mill were designated as being unsafe for visitors. Full restoration was estimated at requiring an investment of around £500,000.

Yesterday's World Sutton Windmill and Broads Museum

It is with regret that Yesterdays World have decided to close Sutton Windmill and Broads Museum permanently as from 26th September 2008.
It has been a difficult year of trading, and the operating costs we have incurred have meant that this has become a less than viable operation. No further decision has been made as to the relocation of the collections in the Museum at this time.
Statement on Sutton Mill website - September 2008

Chunks of timber have been falling from the wooden cap of Grade II listed Sutton Mill, near Stalham, according to neighbour and parish council chairman Linda Matthews.

North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) experts say the 79.5ft-tall mill is not a safety risk and the mill's owners warn they cannot afford the six-figure sum needed fully to restore the 18th-century mill - but both have pledged to work together in a bid to preserve an important piece of Norfolk's heritage.

“It should be an asset to Sutton and Norfolk, but it's becoming an eyesore,” said Ms Matthews,

The nine-storey mill is on the county council's Buildings at Risk Register because of a lack of maintenance. Its upper floors are unsafe, it is not water-tight and the sails are broken.

For 30 years, until 2006, it was visited by up to 20,000 people annually in its guise as The Sutton Windmill and Broads Museum, run by Chris Nunn and housing his huge collection of bygone artefacts.

The mill now belongs to Yesterday's World, an East Sussex-based company which runs historical attractions, including one on Yarmouth's Marine Parade.

Carl Partridge, chief executive of the Yesterday's World group, said they had tried to keep it open as a tourist attraction but it had become economically unviable.

“Within the first month of opening it became quite clear why it wouldn't work,” said Mr Partridge.

It was off the tourist trail, poorly signed and down narrow roads, in an isolated rural area which was not designed to cope with large numbers of people.

Yesterday's World, which closed the mill to the public in 2008, had realised that it would need at least £500,000 of restoration work.

“Unfortunately we don't have half a million sitting in our pocket,” said Mr Partridge. “And in my experience it wouldn't stop there. That would turn into £1m and then there would be the annual running costs.”

Yesterday's World recognised the importance of the mill and wanted to safeguard its future, he added. He was seeking talks with NNDC to try and find a solution which would both preserve and find a use for the building.

But Jonathan Neville, of the Friends of Norfolk Mills, warned that the current economic climate meant public funding for such projects was drying up fast.

“Its loss would be a great shame. It's a unique and iconic building which can be seen for miles around and we're very worried about it,” said Mr Neville.

Norfolk County Council will vote on Monday on a package of proposed cuts which would see the Norfolk Windmills Trust lose all of its annual £70,000 funding from 2012.

The mill was “generally structurally sound”, although the cap was in particular need of repair to make it wind and water tight, according to Chris Young, senior conservation and design officer with NNDC.

Mr Young also said they would continue talking to the owners, and to English Heritage, in a bid to find answers.
Alex Hurrell, Eastern Daily Press - Wednesday 9th February 2011

1789: Mill built

Faden's map 1797: Windmill

1813: John Bygrave, miller (snr snr)

1815: John Bygrave, miller (snr snr)

1817: John Bygrave, miller (snr snr)

1821: John Bygrave, miller (snr snr)

Bryant's map 1826: Windmill

Index of Wills 1828: John Bygrave of Hickling, formerly of Sutton (snr snr)

Greenwood's map 1834: Windmill

White's 1836: John Bygrave, miller & maltster (snr)

O.S. map 1838: Windmill

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2004