TG2233 : Gunton Saw Mill
taken 14 years ago, near to Suffield, Norfolk, England
Gunton Saw Mill is a water powered wood processor on the Gunton Hall estate. It is owned by the Norfolk windmill trust (MWT) and the machinery is run by the Norfolk industrial archaeology society (NIAS). It is a medium sized building, housing a frame saw, two water wheels, a corn grinder and a circular saw. It was opened in 1825 for the third Lord Suffield, built by William Haze. The Norfolk reed thatched building has had an interesting history, its first threat was machine smashers who threatened to destroy the mill. However Lord Suffield's 177 man private army put the threats to bed. There was also a fire that damaged some timbers and the roof however as it had been raining the roof smouldered rather than burning. The mill came to the attention of NIAS in 1976 when the building was to be demolished however the lease was purchased and restoration began.
How it Works
Water power comes from the saw mill lake next to the mill, this is fed by the great lake further north west. The lakes were constructed between 1742 and 1770. The great lake being the dammed Hagon beck and saw mill lake dug out for a nice feature viewable from Gunton Hall.
The distance in height between the mill and the dam is 4 metres giving plenty of power. A sluice gate is opened to allow water into the mill race, a brick culvert which leads to two more gates above the water wheels. These are operated from within the mill to give control of the water flow.
The water (once both gates are open) is run onto the water wheel which is an iron and steel 1888 example, although restoration has replaced most parts. Supplied by Holmes of Norwich for £164. One water wheel (the working one) drives pulleys and a 2 ton flywheel to power the frame saw. The other drove a circular saw on rails, also a small corn grinder. There was also some steam equipment on site which was outside, associated with the derrick (or crane).
The site was used until the 1950s but the frame saw fell out of use after the Great War (1914-1918).
It is now open on the fourth Sunday of each month 2.00 - 5.00 pm from April to September.