Wicklewood towermill in the High Street was of a tarred brick type construction. It was built c.1845 by Richard Mann and the 5 storey mill was about 45 feet high with a ground floor diameter of 17 feet. The boat shaped cap with a gallery held a 6 bladed fantail, underneath was the striking chain wheel and tailpole. The four double shuttered sails drove 2 pairs of stones. A wooden roller (as at Harpley_towermill) was used when the stones wer lifted by ladder. By 1904 an auxiliary steam engine had been installed.

White's directories of 1836 and 1845 list Richard Mann as a bricklayer and beerhouse keeper. In order to build the mill he borrowed money from John Mitchell, Edward P. Clarke, John Harman, Sophia An Jones of Wymondham and ? Pomeroy. The 1845 tithe award gives Richard Mann as both owner and occupier, however the first miller listed was John Browning Mallett in 1846.

The mill ceased working in 1942 at about the time William Wade, the last miller died at the age of 85 and by the 1970s had become derelict.

On 5th April 1973, his grandaughter, Mrs. Margaret Edwards, formally handed the mill over to Mr. A.G. Hodges, Chairman of the Norfolk Windmills Trust for restoration and preservation before being opened to the public on certain days.

The cap was removed for renovation in 2005 and replaced again on Friday 21st July 2006 along with a new upright shaft. The Norfolk Windmills Trust said they also intended to replace the steel sails with more traditional wooden ones, with the intention of eventally recommencing milling operations.

Wicklewood had a second towermill that stood to the west of the village on the Hackford Road.

William Wade had worked for Samuel Mann at the Hackford Road towermill in Wicklewood, then at Martham, Cringleford and Marlingford mills. The mill then stayed with the Wade family for the rest of its working life.

c.1845: Mill built by Richard Mann

Tithe Award 1845: Richard Mann, owner and occupier

1846: John Browning Mallett, miller

White's 1854: John Mallett, miller

White's 1864: John Mallett, miller

1875: William Doughty, miller

c.1878: James Doughty, miller

White's 1883: James Doughty, miller

Kelly's 1892: James Doughty, miller (wind) & farmer

1895: Mill conveyed from Samuel Winter a retired baker to Frederick J. Browes, grocer & draper for £325

Kelly's 1896: James Doughty, miller (wind) & farmer

c.1896: James Doughty left to take over at Mill St mill, Mattishall

1897: William Vout, miller

Kelly's 1900: William Vout, miller (wind)

1902: William Vout left to take over at East Bradenham towermill

Kelly's 1904: Walter Farrow, miller (wind & steam)

c.1905: Walter Farrow left to take over at Silfield towermill and later moved to Wymondham smockmill

1906: Mill bought for £330 by William Wade, corn chandler from Wymondham

Kelly's 1912: William Wade, miller (wind & steam)

Kelly's 1916: William Wade, miller (wind & steam)

c.1942: William Wade died at the age of 85

c.1942: Mill ceased working

5th April 1973: Mill donated to Norfolk Windmills Trust

2005: Cap removed for renovation

Friday 21st July 2006: Cap replaced after renovation and new upright shaft fitted

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2004