Union Mills, Burnham Overy, Combined watermill and tower mill in Burnham Overy, England
Union Mills is a combined watermill and tower mill complex in Burnham Overy, featuring a three-story watermill building alongside a six-story tower mill structure. The two buildings connect through an integrated machinery system that coordinated grinding operations.
The watermill building was built in 1737, while the adjacent tower mill was added in 1814 and carries an inscription marking Napoleon's exile to Elba. These dates link the local mill's development to significant European events of the period.
These mills served as a vital hub for grain processing within the local community and remained woven into daily life for generations. The visible millstones and work areas tell of the craftsmanship that shaped the region.
The site is best approached on foot, with most visitors viewing the exterior structures and mill machinery from public paths and approaches. The interior spaces are now privately occupied, so visitors should respect the boundaries of private property.
A penciled note on the roof rafters records the sighting of the French fleet in 1798. This handwritten record directly links the remote Norfolk mill to a significant moment in British naval history.
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