Foster's Windmill - History

with drawing and photo's of mill workings

The mill was built by local millwrights, Fysons of Soham in 1857. It stands on the site of an earlier post mill and it is believed that mills have stood on this site since Domesday.

The mill was purchased by the Foster family who worked the mill for all of its working life, ceasing in 1946 when the mill was ‘mothballed’.

The mill in 1946 as it closed

Foster's Mill in 1946 as it was mothballed

The mill was rescued in 1970 and then began a restoration process carried out by Michael Bullied which culminated in the mill grinding corn again in 1992.

The mill now works daily in the care of the current owner, Jonathan Cook.

The mill tower is built of a brick skin with internal clunch lining. The internal finish is lime mortar, with the brick skin being coated in black bitumen tar to help waterproof the building.

Detailed photos of parts of the mill can be seen using the clickable image-map below

Fantail steers the mill into the wind Stonenuts transmit power to the millstones Millstones grind the wheat into flour Wallower drives the stone nuts Brake allows the miller to stop the mill Spout where the freshly ground flour is bagged

Return to top of page

Return to the home page for Foster's Mill at Swaffham Prior

Contact the , Jonathan Cook at Foster's Mill
Contact   Dave Smith of Designwise Software
Copyright © 2003 Foster's Mill at Swaffham Prior, Cambridge UK. All rights reserved.