Thorpeness Meare Boat Hire

General information

The Windmill was built in 1824 two miles from Thorpeness in Aldringham where it was used for grinding corn. In 1923 Mr Ogilvie had it dismantled and moved to Thorpeness to replace the metal wind pump, which he decided was not in keeping with rest of the hoilday village architecture.

The Windmill pumped water into the water tank at the top of The House in the Clouds untill 1940 when the sails were removed and a diesel engine took over.
In 1963 Thorpeness was connected to the mains water supply. The Mill fell into disrepair. It was fully restored in 1977 and ownership was transferred to Suffolk County Council, with responsibility devolved to Suffolk District Council.

When the Mill again needed refurbishment, the budgets were not available, so it was put on the market and bought jointly by Philip Goddard, who has been coming to Thorpeness since 1967 and his wife Sharlie; they own the adjoining property.

Vincent Pargeter, a highly recognised millwright based in Ingatestone, was appointed to restore the Mill. In Autumn 2010, a temporary repair was effected on the roof, while the timber was sourced and weathered. The major works started in 2011 as all exterior wood including the shutters, sails, stocks, weatherboarding, steps and fantail needed replacing. This is still on-going. The aim is to have the Windmill working for Summer 2012.