On a roll with this heritage stuff. Watch it die down as the cooler weather hits and the fair weather photographer goes into hibernation. I also suspect it will be at least another year before any photographs find their way on to the site. Sounds pessimistic but I know this man’s track record!
Last two weeks have seen visits to Saxtead Green Post Mill and Landguard Fort. The Mill is, unsurprisingly, in the hamlet of Saxtead and is a corn mill whose whole body revolves on its base and is one of many built in Suffolk from the late 13th century. It has a 3-storey brick roundhouse, which makes for a steep climb up to the timber framed and weather boarded buck or top part of the mill (also 3 storeys). The buck revolves through 360 degrees, driven by changes in wind direction, which we were lucky enough to see (albeit slightly) on the visit.
Landguard Fort is in Felixstowe and a fort has been based there since the 16th century. Parts of the fort still standing date back to the 1744 structure and many of the variations and adaptations that took place right up to its decommissioning in 1956 are viewable. In its time, a submarine mining establishment was based there (as far back as 1878) and it was also the hub of a seaward defence unit as part of the ‘cold war’ defences until the Coastal artillery was disbanded. Another excellent English Heritage presentation of an important landmark and special mention to the Landguard Trust who maintain it. Fascinating visit. Lived in Suffolk for 17 years, this place is 8 miles down the road and this was our first visit. Shameful!