Hoveton drainage mill was quite a small 3 storey mill that was built on the marsh beside the River Bure. The red brick tower had a Norfolk boat shaped cap that had held a gallery and a ten bladed fantail. Power was supplied by four double shuttered patent sails.

The mill was sometimes known as Dydall's Mill or Didler's Mill or Miller's Mill. It was said that the mill was haunted by a mill man's daughter who had been killed by the mill's sails.

The tower was converted to living accommodation in 1934, when a glazed lookout style feature with a balcony and an octagonal pyramid roof was added to the top. Since the mill ceasing working, trees have grown all around the tower.

I would like to be in contact with anyone with memories of the area.
My recollection goes back to September 1984 when as a guest of Charles Fairbrother I stayed overnight in the mill, a rare privilege! At the time, Charles had restored an old wooden boat, added a cabin to it and installed a steam plant. I bought the boat, moved it to Windermere where it has been ever since. I kept in touch with Charles for quite a while, but since he died many years ago, all contact with people in Broadland has been lost.
I am particularly interested to hear from anyone who remembers the boat, which Charles first discovered as a sunken hull somewhere in the Wroxham area. I was told that before I was allowed to have the boat, I had to "qualify" as a "Mill person"! As far I know, that qualification is still valid, which is why I really would like to share memories of Didlers Mill.
Roger Kent - 28th May 2021

O.S. map 1880: Draining Pump

1912-14: Mill burnt out

1934: Mill tower converted into accommodation

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2012