Toft Monks drainage mill on Haddiscoe Island, had a 3 storey tower and a Norfolk boat shaped cap with a petticoat, gallery and an 8 bladed fan.
The tower was 27 ft 9 ins high to the curb where it had a diameter of 13 ft 9 ins and 2 ft thick walls.
The pit wheel was 6ft 4ins diameter with an external cast iron scoop wheel.

Plans submitted to restore Toft Monks Mill

Plans have been submitted to restore a disused grade II listed brick-built mill.
The new owners of the Toft Monks Mill in the heart of the Norfolk Broads, a Mr and Mrs Singer, want to carry out a comprehensive programme of repair and conservation work to the mill and the surrounding site.
Their aim is to find a sustainable future use for the mill, near Haddiscoe Cut, and its immediate environment that is appropriate to its historic context and incorporates "significant public benefits".
Permission for a full residential conversion of the mill was originally granted in 1974.
The original architect’s plans envisaged a large two-storey extension to the tower of the mill, increasing the floor space by a factor of five times.
The applicants say an extension of that original size would have resulted in a "substantial level of harm to the original fabric of the windmill" and to its historic setting and appearance.
The large scale and massing of the proposed extension would have dominated the "modest dimensions of the windmill tower".
So Mr and Mrs Singer say their conversion work will be rebuilt on the existing foundations, "matching its original form and appearance" as closely as possible.
The plan proposes to relocate the domestic accommodation to a separate freestanding structure 25 metres away from the mill tower.
This would enable the windmill itself to be fully restored to its last working appearance and will allow it to function again for demonstration.
The present scheme will transform the site by opening it up for regular public access. 
Plans say that where they are serviceable, all of the "original cast iron and masonry components will be re-used".
Where replacement parts are required, these will be designed to replicate as accurately as possible those parts that are missing or are not in a fit state to be re-used.
A decision on the plans will be made by the Broads Authority.
Bruno Brown, Beccles & Bungay Journal - 17th July 2023

Toft Monks Mill revamp due for approval despite flood fears

A Norfolk Broads landmark that has fallen into dereliction could soon be brought back to life after officials gave the green light for it to go ahead.
The owners of Toft Monks Mill hope to restore the Grade II listed wind pump, which is located within Halvergate Marshes on Haddiscoe Island, to full working order.
Mr and Mrs Singer, the couple behind the project, also want to rebuild the engine shed and construct a two-bed home next door to the mid-19th century mill.
The 'humpback steam pump' is described as a "rare survivor" of its kind and although some parts are missing, officers say it is mostly in "sound condition".
Officials at the Broads Authority have recommended plans are approved but there has been backlash from the Environment Agency.
Staff there are worried it is in a high-risk flood zone - an area usually deemed inappropriate for residential homes.
But the BA believes the benefits outweigh the flooding concerns as building the home will help provide a sustainable use of the site and secure the future of the mill in the Broads landscape.
Officers have recommended the scheme be approved with a number of conditions which include ensuring the restoration of the mill is completed before the home is built.
NORFOLK'S SECRET ISLAND
Haddiscoe Island is located seven miles inland from the sea in the Norfolk Broads.
The three-mile square block of grazing land is surrounded by the New Cut and the Yare and Waveney before they unite at Breydon Water.
It can be reached by road, over the bridges at St Olaves and Haddiscoe, but access to most of the island is by farm track.
Journalist and Loose Women star Janet Street-Porter moved to the island in 2019 revealing that she had relocated to Norfolk to live in "a ramshackle house miles from a road, surrounded by water, hares, marsh deer and free roaming cattle". 
Toft Monks Mill is not the only mill on Haddiscoe Island.
Earlier this year, Red_Mill, which has been turned into a quirky home, went up for auction and was sold for £265,000 - £40,000 above the guide price.  
Owen Sennitt, Eastern Daily Press - 10th September 2024

The  new owners Mr & Mrs Singer are having the  whole top cap remade from scratch, using local millwrights & craftsmen. The  main cap components arived Tuesday the 10th & fitting completed on the 11th. The cap will next have its proper cladding and new sails/fantail next to be done. They hope for sometime next year.to have that completed.
There is  also the prospect, subject to planning - which is currently being sought, for a later steam pumphouse to be rebuilt with its original Smithdale 'Humpback' engine setup as a static exhibit therein. Only the main casting of the engine survives as in photo.
David Clark - 13th September 2024

My wife Jill and I own  the Grade ll Toft Monks Wind Pump.
It has now been completely restored.
New Cap, new sails, turns  to wind and the sails rotate.
New internal mechanicals.
The restoration was supervised by Luke Bonwick, he has written two articles on this for the SPAB Magazine.
The team was Paul Kemp, Gary May, and Alex Hunter.
There is still some restoration work to be completed on the outbuildings that housed the on-site steam engine in the 19th century.
We will be erecting a small residential building in the corner  of the site as we are keen not to convert the wind pump into residence, as that  would  be to turn the wind pump it into something it was  not.
Since the picture below was taken shutters have been fitted.
Adam Singer - 19th November 2025

The Toft Monks restoration was supervised by Luke Bonwick,  who wrote Norfolk's Windmills by River, Road and Rail and the Millwrights were Paul Kemp,  Alex Hunter and Gary May.  The builder  who took care of the tower was Damian Burton Pye.
Adam Singer - 30th November 2025

1964: Cap gone; Remains of two sails and two stocks and machinery in situ

27th June 1974: Planning permission granted to Dr. Martin Scurr to convert to residential accommodation

1979: Residential conversion commenced

1980: Restoration ongoing

2009: Remains of fanstage and waterproofed cap in situ

Nov 2021: Mill advertised for sale with 0.71 acre by Durrants with a guide price of £200,000

July 2023: Plans submitted by owners Mr. & Mrs. Singer, who aim to carry out major repairs and restoration

September 2024: Mill undergoing major repairs

June 2025: Mill undergoing major repairs with scaffolding in situ

November 2025: Mill completely restored with new cap that turns to wind and new revolving sails

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2023