Upwell towermill was built by John Hopkins Sanders in 1829 on the west side of Well Creek in Cambridgeshire, the east side of the creek being in Norfolk. However, in 1990 Upwell and the west side of the Creek became part of Norfolk, so the mill has been included on this website.

The Mill was known by various names throughout its history, including Sanders' Mill, Shepherd's Mill or more recently The Olde Mill Restaurant, which closed in 2007.

The mill initially used 5 patent sails to power two pairs of French burr stones and two flour mills. By 1894 the mill was using steam as an auxiliary power source and the 5th sail had disappeared leaving one pair of single shuttered and one pair of double shuttered sails. The ogee cap with its petticoat held a fantail and a gallery.

During the latter years of wind power the mill used two pairs of single shuttered sails and an additional floor had been added.

Kelly's Cambs. 1854: Thomas Tombleson Berry, miller
Kelly's Cambs. 1854: John Boyfield, miller
Kelly's Cambs. 1854: John Drake, miller
Kelly's Cambs. 1854: John Roper, miller
Kelly's Cambs. 1854: Mrs. Ann Southwell, miller
Kelly's Cambs. 1854: John Southwell, miller
Kelly's Cambs. 1854: John Wiles, miller & farmer
Kelly's Cambs. 1854: James Webber, millwright & carpenter

1829: Mill built with 5 patent sails by John Hopkins Sanders

c.1830: Mill advertised for sale for £1,000 by private contract

1836: John Hopkins Sanders died

1836: Mill advedrtised for sale by auction

Kelly's Cambs. 1854:

1872: Thomas Shepherd took over running the mill. The Shepherd family also milled at Emneth, Cambs.

April 1894: Thomas Shepherd, miller, died

1894-1904: William George Shepherd, miller

1904: James Shepherd, miller

1940: J. Lewis, miller

1940: One pair of sails came off and windmilling ceased although milling continued with electrical power

1951: Second pair of sails removed because of deterioration along with cap and fantail. Tower later capped

1990: Upwell, including the mill site became part of Norfolk

2009: Mill tower being used for domestic accommodation

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2007