Towering Sutton Windmill in Norfolk on the market for £1.5m

Sutton Windmill, near Stalham, is believed to be the tallest surviving structure of its kind in the UK and the second tallest in Europe. 

The Grade II-listed corn mill was bought at auction in 2018 by Kyle Smart, 35, who was born and bred in Horning, and his partner Lisa Smith. 

Sutton Windmill, a former grain mill in Norfolk (Image: Sonya Duncan)

At the time, the mill had been left derelict for a decade and the building now used as a family home was "just four walls".  

The couple, who have two children, lived in a caravan on site for around four years while renovation work took place.  

Kyle Smart, developer, is currently living in the mill with his family. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Mr Smart said: "It is quite rewarding seeing something from start to finish. This mill, what future did it have if someone like me didn't take it on? 

"Give it another 20 years and it would have been run down to no return." 

They have since transformed the former granary into their home, retaining original features including beams and windows. The property also includes a three-bedroom holiday let.

Sutton Windmill and the adjoining buildings is up for sale for £1.5m (Image: Sonya Duncan)

The pair landscaped the grounds and installed a new cap on the windmill but were unable to secure planning permission to convert the mill itself.  

Instead, the structure remains as it was, with letters from schoolchildren who once visited it as a museum still found inside. 

Letters rom schoolchildren remain in Sutton Mill (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Sutton Mill was originally built in 1789 with eight floors – a fire in 1861 resulted in an additional floor being added.  

It operated as a working grain mill until 1940, when a lightning strike put it out of action. 

Sutton Windmill, near Stalham (Image: Sonya Duncan)

The site later reopened as a museum in 1975, before the previous owner closed it in 2008.   

In 2014, part of the neighbouring Weavers Way public footpath was diverted amid concerns about potential danger from storm-damaged sails.  

Redevelopment works were carried out by the current owner Kyle Smart. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Mr Smart and Ms Smith are now looking to downsize but hope to find a home with more land so they can keep their horses at home. 

Sutton Windmill and the adjoining buildings is up for sale after extensive restoarative and redevelopment works were carried out by the current owner Kyle Smart. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Sutton Mill was previously on the market for £1.9m.