Guist Mill
River Wensum

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Drainage Mills (Windpumps)
Steam Mills
Watermills

c.1910
c.1910

Little appears to be known about this mill and nothing seems to be left. The mill was next to the toll bridge and appears to have been quite small.

The ancient main road ran over the toll bridge, which is dated 1773. Those not wishing to use the toll bridge would have used the ford.


c.1912
c.1912

1959
1959

March 1977
Mill House and toll bridge March 1977

Will of Ælfric, bishop (of Elmham), including bequests of land at Worlingworth, Suffolk, and at Hunstanton, Holme, Tichwell and Docking, Norfolk, to Bury St Edmunds; at Grimston, Norfolk, to Leofstan, the dean; and instructions to sell land at Walsingham and Fersfield, Norfolk; also bequests of land at Egmere, Norfolk, part to Ælfwine and part to Ufi, the prior; the mill at Guist, Norfolk, to Edwin, the monk; land at Roydon, Norfolk, to Ælfwig, the priest; and at Moulton to Sibriht; also a messuage in Norwich to St Edmunds and one in London to St Peter's.
Will of Ælfric, bishop of Elmham - 1489


Mill House and toll bridge March 1977
Mill House and toll bridge March 1977

Guist Mill's demise was probably brought about when the miller at the much larger nearby Bintry Mill diverted the watercourse to his advantage.


I have no idea when the mill was built or when it was dismantled but it was certainly well before 1800.  The toll bridge was the road from Guist to Elmham until 1930 when the road bridge bypass was constructed by Norfolk County Council.  It then carried all the traffic. In 1990/1991 the county became worried about the volumes of heavy traffic using it and its age.  It was surveyed and assessed in 1990/1991 and rated at 7.5 tonne loading and kerbing was installed to protect the bridge structure which was showing signs of age.  It was decided to reconstruct the three span reinforced concrete structure in the budget for 2002/2003 and May Gurney gained the contract.
Carol Winfield - 5th December 2006


The miller of Gyst Mylle unlawfully took toll of divers tenants of the lord of this manor not according to the custom, for cartage with his cart and pair, which he should not have done . . .
North Elmham Court Rolls - 1521


1977
Probable original millpond beside the ancient road leading to the toll bridge in 1977

O.S. map 1885

O. S. Map 1885
Courtesy of NLS map images


1489: Mill mentioned in will

1521: Guist miller fined for carting grain and flour for others as such private enterprise against feudal system

January 2008: Mill house advertised for sale by Strutt & Parker at c.£950,000


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 TF997025050
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Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2003