Caston Windmill

Caston Windmill was built in 1864, replacing a post mill which had been standing in 1834. The tower was built by William Wright, a local builder, and fitted out by millwright Robert Hambling of East Dereham. It bears a date stone inscribed EW 1864, referring to Edward Wyer, who had owned the post mill. The mill caught fire during a storm on 24 March 1895 but it is not recorded how much damage was done. The Watton fire brigade were called upon to deal with the fire. Edward Wyer ran the mill until his death on 5 July 1897. His property was offered for sale by auction on 7 October 1897 at the Dukes Head public house, Caston, but remained unsold. Wyer's son James took the mill and ran it until…

Caston Windmill is a six-storey tower mill with a two storey granary attached. There is a stage at second floor level. The tower is 55 ft tall to curb level. The boat-shaped cap is winded by a six-bladed fantail. The four double Patent sails have ten bays. Eight bays carried three shutters and two bays carried two shutters. The sails are carried on a cast-iron windshaft, which also carries a 10 ft diameter wooden clasp arm brake wheel. The cast-iron wallower is carried on a wooden upright shaft. The three pairs of millstones were driven underdrift.