Industrial History Online
Horsey drainage mill
Key Words :- Horsey windpump wind pump Norfolk Broads National Trust land drainage Garrett Crossley Smithdale
Viewing the Site :- Can be seen from the public road and the adjacent car park. Entry by paid admission (National Trust)
Address :- Horsey Road, Horsey, Norfolk, NR29 4EE
Grid Ref :- TG 45733 22146
Co-ordinates :- Lat 52.741041 , Long 1.63899
Local Authority :- North Norfolk District Council
Pre 1974 County :- Norfolk
Site Status :- Listed - Grade II*
Historic England List No - 1373716,
Site Dates :- 1912 - 1943
Description and History of Site:-
Horsey Windpump is on a short spur off Horsey Mere. It raised water from the lower level by approx. 8’ to discharge into the general Broads level.
The pump is of red brick, managed by the National Trust since 1948. The sails have been repaired and have actually turned under wind, although only in the presence of the millwright. The pump needs replacing so has been disconnected from the wallower on the ground floor. At the time of visit in April 2026, a casting is on order that will allow the fantail and cap to rotate again.
It is the Trust’s intention to restore the pump to full operation.
The adjacent electric pumping station (which was originally steam then Diesel) has been replaced in 2026; the future of the original installation is unclear.
1812 A small smock mill was installed
1816 It was upgraded to a brick building called the “Great Mill” or “Black Mill”
1900 The Windpump was augmented by a Garrett twin-cylinder portable steam engine driving a Smithdale turbine pump.
1912 The current structure was built by Dan England on the foundations of the earlier Black Mill. It is the most recent traditional pump on the Broads.
1939 Steam was replaced by a 55hp Crossley Diesel pump.
1943 The windpump ceased working when it was struck by lightning; all pumping was now by the steam (and subsequently electric) pump adjacent.
1948 The National Trust acquired the Windpump and began a slow restoration.
1957 Diesel was replaced by an electric plant and Smithdale turbine pump
1962 New sails and fantail were fitted in 1962.
1987 A great storm again caused extensive damage which was not repaired until 1990.
1998 The electric plant and pump were replaced.
2014 The sails were removed again and restoration restarted in 2016.
2019 The sails finally turned again for the first time since 1943, but only in the presence of the millwright
2026 The latest electric pumps were installed.
Further Reading and References:-
Cossons, Neil. 'The BP Book of Industrial Archaeology'. David & Charles, 1975
Alderton, David and Booker, John. 'The Batsford Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of East Anglia'. Batsford, 1980
Falconer, Keith. 'Guide to England's Industrial Heritage'. Batsford, 1980
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/horsey-windpump
Information about the steam / Diesel / electric pumps taken from an infoboard erected by the Broads Drainage Board
Help us improve this entry
Grid Ref :- TG 45733 22146
Co-ordinates :- Lat 52.741041 , Long 1.63899
Local Authority :- North Norfolk District Council
Pre 1974 County :- Norfolk
Site Status :- Listed - Grade II*
Historic England List No - 1373716,
Site Dates :- 1912 - 1943
Horsey Windpump is on a short spur off Horsey Mere. It raised water from the lower level by approx. 8’ to discharge into the general Broads level.
The pump is of red brick, managed by the National Trust since 1948. The sails have been repaired and have actually turned under wind, although only in the presence of the millwright. The pump needs replacing so has been disconnected from the wallower on the ground floor. At the time of visit in April 2026, a casting is on order that will allow the fantail and cap to rotate again.
It is the Trust’s intention to restore the pump to full operation.
The adjacent electric pumping station (which was originally steam then Diesel) has been replaced in 2026; the future of the original installation is unclear.
1812 A small smock mill was installed
1816 It was upgraded to a brick building called the “Great Mill” or “Black Mill”
1900 The Windpump was augmented by a Garrett twin-cylinder portable steam engine driving a Smithdale turbine pump.
1912 The current structure was built by Dan England on the foundations of the earlier Black Mill. It is the most recent traditional pump on the Broads.
1939 Steam was replaced by a 55hp Crossley Diesel pump.
1943 The windpump ceased working when it was struck by lightning; all pumping was now by the steam (and subsequently electric) pump adjacent.
1948 The National Trust acquired the Windpump and began a slow restoration.
1957 Diesel was replaced by an electric plant and Smithdale turbine pump
1962 New sails and fantail were fitted in 1962.
1987 A great storm again caused extensive damage which was not repaired until 1990.
1998 The electric plant and pump were replaced.
2014 The sails were removed again and restoration restarted in 2016.
2019 The sails finally turned again for the first time since 1943, but only in the presence of the millwright
2026 The latest electric pumps were installed.
Cossons, Neil. 'The BP Book of Industrial Archaeology'. David & Charles, 1975
Alderton, David and Booker, John. 'The Batsford Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of East Anglia'. Batsford, 1980
Falconer, Keith. 'Guide to England's Industrial Heritage'. Batsford, 1980
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/horsey-windpump
Information about the steam / Diesel / electric pumps taken from an infoboard erected by the Broads Drainage Board
The compilers welcome corrections or additional information on all sites.
Any information provided will be verified before appearing on the web site.
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Contributor :- Robert Mason - 29 August 2022
Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © Robert Mason
Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © Robert Mason