Bircham Windmill

Located six miles from Sandringham is Bircham Windmill looking pretty much the same as it did 100 hundred years ago. When the windmill was at the height of its business use there were over 300 mills that ground corn for animal feed or bread. Today Bircham Windmill is one of the only ones that is still in good repair, working, and open to the public. Visitors are welcome to climb the tower and inspect the fan stage, getting a chance to see the sails and milling machinery turning on windy days. The grounds also include a tearoom and bakery.

The Bircham Windmill was built in 1846 and was operated on a daily basis into the 1920’s when it was ultimately abandoned and left to fall into disrepair. The sails were removed when the windmill was closed. It remained that way until the current owners purchased the property and began renovation work on the buildings on the land. By 1979 a new cap was placed on the windmill with the sails being added two years later. Three of the five floors were completely replaced and the inner workings were replaced from machinery and stones bought at farm sales and auctions from other derelict mills.

The Bircham Windmill, bakery, cycle hire, Humprey Cottage and tearoom are open from March 19 to September 30 from 10am to 5pm. There is a small petting zoo and rate plant sale that takes place at the windmill on a daily basis as well as an extensive events calendar featuring craft shows to puppet shows.