Lakenham Peafield Tower Mill is significant in theayt it is the only surviving windmill in Norwich.Tucked out of the way, few people realise that the mill is still there, we certainly had never visited until adopting this cache from Pilgrims Path in December 2021.
Peafields Mill is a former tower windmill built in 1824, had a brick tower which contained the machinery. Standing 80 feet high and of eight storeys, its walls were 4 ft 6 ins thick at the base. Above it was the cap, fly wheel and sails, the latter nearly 100 feet in span. This superstructure rotated on a steel track with steel runners to keep the sails facing the wind. In about 1914-15 the sails came off, after which electric power was installed, but the tower continued to be used as a silo for grain. This eight storey building is of painted brick with a rendered plinth and a conical lead roof. It is entered on the first floor by a 20th century external stair, and there are two 20th century balconies.
The mill and surrounding properties are a close residential area and therefore I had to place a cache within view of the tower as anything near the tower would have caused concerns from residents. But please walk from the cache and have a closer look at the only windmill left in Norwich.
Please no photos of the cache - but any of the mill and surrounding area is acceptable.