#hunsett mill

The Idyllic Norfolk Broads: Hunsett Mill

There is something incredibly nostalgic about the saturated colors of mid-century postcards. This view of Hunsett Mill is a perfect slice of the Norfolk Broads aesthetic.

While many drainage mills across the Broads fell into disrepair, Hunsett Mill remained a landmark. In this card, we see it paired with its charming cottage, surrounded by a garden in full bloom. It looks like the ultimate peaceful retreat.

Postcard Details:

Location: River Ant, near Stalham, Norfolk.

Subject: A classic brick tower drainage mill with patent sails.

Vibe: Endless English summer.

The Mill That Casts a Modern Shadow

There is something hypnotic about the color palette of mid-century postcards—that impossibly blue sky and the hyper-saturated greens of the Norfolk riverbanks.

This is Hunsett Mill. Built in 1860 to pump water from the marshes, it became one of the most photographed spots in the UK. For decades, it was the definition of "quaint."

The Postcard Perspective:

The Mill: A Grade II listed red-brick beauty.

The Cottage: Originally a tiny two-room home for the mill keeper, often plagued by flooding.

The Vibe: Pure, unadulterated British nostalgia.

The Modern Twist: In 2009, architects ACME stripped away decades of "wonky" additions and added a stunning, blackened timber extension designed to look like a "shadow" of the original house. It won the RIBA Manser Medal and changed the way we think about heritage sites.

hunsett mill/acme