Cranworth
 Mill
Blackwater River



Cranworth watermill was mentioned in Domesday and was still working in the 1400s


A rental of Letton of 1685 records "Tho. Motte for the windmill 1/6d for 1 year."
There was Millhill Close which lay in the part of Letton which was south of the road from Cranworth to Shipdham in 1627. There is also a 15th cent. reference to a way leading from Letton church to Cranworth watermill which seems to have been in the neighbourhood of the parish boundary.
Norfolk Archaeological Rescue Group, Union House, Gressenhall - A. J. Davison, 1984


Faden's map 1797
Faden's map 1797

Cranworth watermill (there was one in the Domesday Book) appears to have been at about TF97200475, where Faden's map of 1797 shows a 'Mill Moor'. Bryant's map of 1826 shows a 'Mill House' between this and Letton Church, which could be near the site of the windmill.
Norfolk Archaeological Rescue Group, Union House, Gressenhall - A. J. Davison, 1984


Royal Exchange Fire Insurance policy 87748

Robt. Thurston of East Dereham in the County of Norfolk, Brewer in Trust for Thos. Wright, a Minor.  ...  On a Water Mill, near (Cranworth) & on the Mills therein together with the Running Tackle & other parts of the Machinery belonging thereto, £95.
28th October 1783

Domesday 1086: Watermill

1400s: Documented reference to the mill

October 1783: Robert Thurston, trustee, insured the miull for £95 with Royal Exchange Fire Insurance


If you have any memories, anecdotes or photos please let us know and we may be able to use them to update the site. By all means telephone 07836 675369 or

Nat Grid Ref TF97200475 approx
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Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2007