Hunsett Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hunsett Drainage Mill |
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Hunsett Drainage Mill
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| Origin | |
| Mill location | River Ant near Stalham |
| Grid reference | TG364239 |
| Coordinates | 52°45′40.66″N 1°30′06.13″E / 52.7612944°N 1.5017028°E |
| Year built | 1860 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Drainage Mill |
Hunsett Mill is a famous old windmill located in Norfolk, England. It stands on the east bank of the River Ant, about a mile north of Barton Broad. This beautiful mill is a special listed building, meaning it's protected because of its history and importance. It's also known for being one of the most photographed windmills in the Norfolk Broads.
Contents
About Hunsett Mill
What is a Drainage Mill?
Hunsett Mill was built in 1860. It is a type of windmill called a drainage mill. These mills were used to pump water from low-lying land into rivers. This helped to keep the land dry for farming. Hunsett Mill used to power two large scoop wheels to move the water.
Design and Appearance
The mill tower is made of red bricks and stands about 12 meters (almost 40 feet) tall. It has a white, boat-shaped cap and a fantail. The fantail helps to turn the mill's cap so the sails face the wind. The mill once had four large sails, called patent sails.
Even though the inside of the mill was changed in the 1960s, its outside still looks like it did when it was first built. It's a great example of the historic pumping mills found in the Broads area.
The Mill Keeper's House
Next to the mill is a house where the mill keeper used to live. This house was built around the same time as the mill. It was placed on a small raised area to protect it from floods.
Over the years, the house has been changed and made bigger many times. This happened in the 1910s, 1940s, 1950s, 1970s, and 2008. These changes were made because of its small size and repeated flooding.
Getting to the Mill
Hunsett Mill is quite hard to reach. It's located at the northern end of the Norfolk Broads waterways. There is no road that leads directly to the mill. Hunsett Mill is privately owned, so it's not open to the public.
History of Hunsett Mill
Early Beginnings
People believe that pumping structures have been on this site for hundreds of years. However, the current mill and house were built in 1860. A stone found in the mill's brickwork has "HUNSETT 1698" carved into it. This suggests there was an even older mill here before.
Changes Over Time
The mill and the mill keeper's house were used for pumping water until about 1910. After that, the mill was no longer used for its original purpose. In the 1950s or 1960s, most of the machinery inside the mill was removed.
The mill keeper's house has been used as a home and a holiday house for many years.
Storm Damage and Repairs
Hunsett Mill has faced some tough weather. In the Great Storm of 1987, the mill's sails were badly damaged. One sail had to be completely replaced with wood that came all the way from Canada.
On May 5, 2007, another storm hit. This time, the fan that helps turn the mill's cap was torn off. It was repaired in the summer of 2008.
Modern Renovations
Between 2008 and 2009, Hunsett Mill and the mill keeper's cottage had a big renovation. Five parts that were added to the cottage in the 1940s and 1950s were taken down. A new extension was built at the back of the cottage.
This new part of the house was designed to blend in with the historic mill. It was built using solid laminated wood. The house also got modern features like ground source heat pumps and its own water supply. These changes helped make the house almost fully self-sufficient.
At the same time, new flood defenses were built around the mill and cottage. This included a new earth wall to protect them from flooding.
Awards and Recognition
The renovated Mill Keeper's Cottage has won several important awards:
- It won the RIBA Manser Medal in 2010. This award is for the best one-off house in the United Kingdom.
- The house was also chosen as a finalist for the "Structural Awards 2009" and the "Sustainability Awards 2009".
- Hunsett Mill was named one of seven winners in the East of England for the RIBA Awards. This award recognizes excellent architectural design.
