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Herringfleet Mill or Walker's Mill is a Grade II* listed mill that is typical of the small drainage mills that once existed in this area. The smock mill derived its name from the now obsolete smock worn by countrymen. East Anglia once had a landscape dominated by windmills but the Industrial Revolution saw steam engines spread (like Blackmill, Polkeys and Strumpshaw nearby). Unfortunately becoming a feature of the past, with the increased use of sluices and an awareness of wind-dependency being unreliable, though many did survive into the 20th Century, especially in the Yarmouth/Acle area.
The example was built by Robert Barnes, a Yarmouth Millwright in 1820. It became disused by 1883 but was later put back to work. The Somerleyton Estate in 1950 installed a centrifugal pump powered by a tractor in a tin shed.
Restoration of the mill was undertaken by Thomas Smithdale & Sons, the Acle millwrights. The mill was officially opened on 25 July 1958 by Charles Howlett, who had been marshman at the mill for over forty years. Further restoration work was done in 1971 by Neville Martin, the Beccles millwright.

Now the mill is operated on special days by East Suffolk Council being the only working smock mill on the broads. I saw it running many many years ago when I was little.

Created: Thu, 17 Jun 2010, Updated: Fri, 18 Jun 2010