By Spring 1999 our derelict windmill was becoming unsafe. It had not been used for grinding wheat since about 1908. The roof was leaking, the floors rotting and the windows a danger.
We decided it really was a case of ‘all or nothing’ and went ahead with plans to convert it into holiday accommodation.
By summer 2000 our one time chicken shed come glorified outbuilding was a comfortable three bedroomed home.
Tim worked pretty well full time with Jeremy from Ashwell Renovations, Kerdiston Nr Reepham, who provided a steadying hand, skill, talent and muscle in equal measure.
![Derelict Mill early spring 1999](https://usercontent.one/wp/aylshamwindmill.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mill-conversion-1-e1380126826762-300x200.jpeg?media=1695219977)
Derelict Mill early spring 1999
![Second floor - now the twin bedroom.](https://usercontent.one/wp/aylshamwindmill.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mill-conversion-2-e1380127095517-218x300.jpeg?media=1695219977)
![Mill conversion 6](https://usercontent.one/wp/aylshamwindmill.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mill-conversion-6-e1380127630379-213x300.jpeg?media=1695219977)
![Wire basket with roller skates - our hod carrier.](https://usercontent.one/wp/aylshamwindmill.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mill-conversion-4-Aug-99-e1380127393498-300x216.jpeg?media=1695219977)
Wire basket with roller skates – our hod carrier.
![Hoist on roof, to save some legwork!](https://usercontent.one/wp/aylshamwindmill.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mill-conversion-3-e1380127227709-300x216.jpeg?media=1695219977)
Hoist on roof, to save some legwork!
![Tidying up the external brickwork was the first job.](https://usercontent.one/wp/aylshamwindmill.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mill-conversion-5-e1380127536152-300x220.jpeg?media=1695219977)
Tidying up the external brickwork was the first job.
![Top brickwork finished. Still a little to do on the windows.](https://usercontent.one/wp/aylshamwindmill.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mill-conversion-8-e1380127792662-216x300.jpeg?media=1695219977)
Top brickwork finished. Still a little to do on the windows.
![Beams and joists strengthened or replaced.](https://usercontent.one/wp/aylshamwindmill.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mill-con-30-e1380555061703-214x300.jpeg?media=1695219977)
Beams and joists strengthened or replaced.
![Some beams had to be renewed, joists checked and new floors laid.](https://usercontent.one/wp/aylshamwindmill.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mill-con-9-e1380554695108-300x207.jpeg?media=1695219977)
Some beams had to be renewed, joists checked and new floors laid.
![November 1999.](https://usercontent.one/wp/aylshamwindmill.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mill-con-10-Nov-991-e1380554905351-208x300.jpeg?media=1695219977)
November 1999.
![Lead roof being laid](https://usercontent.one/wp/aylshamwindmill.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mill-conversion-7-e1380127691621-300x212.jpeg?media=1695219977)
Lead roof being laid
![The kitchen area](https://usercontent.one/wp/aylshamwindmill.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mill-con-13-e1380555260415-300x221.jpeg?media=1695219977)
The kitchen area
![The stairs presented an interesting puzzle. As the walls are curved and sloping inwards.](https://usercontent.one/wp/aylshamwindmill.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mill-con-16-Jan-2000-e1380555548707-300x219.jpeg?media=1695219977)
The stairs presented an interesting puzzle. As the walls are curved and sloping inwards.
![The inner stud walls.](https://usercontent.one/wp/aylshamwindmill.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mill-con-17-e1380555744829-300x227.jpeg?media=1695219977)
The inner stud walls.
![Mill con 14](https://usercontent.one/wp/aylshamwindmill.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mill-con-14-e1380555350734-199x300.jpeg?media=1695219977)
![Mill con 18](https://usercontent.one/wp/aylshamwindmill.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mill-con-18-e1380555845210-300x216.jpeg?media=1695219977)
![Plasterboarding the stairwell.](https://usercontent.one/wp/aylshamwindmill.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mill-con-19-e1380555906954-209x300.jpeg?media=1695219977)
Plasterboarding the stairwell.
![Tiling presented a whole new set of problems.](https://usercontent.one/wp/aylshamwindmill.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mill-con-20-e1380556033938-300x222.jpeg?media=1695219977)
Tiling presented a whole new set of problems.
![The only tailor made part of the kitchen was the work top](https://usercontent.one/wp/aylshamwindmill.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mill-con-24-e1380812039208-300x228.jpeg?media=1695219977)
The only tailor made part of the kitchen was the work top
![The fire escape, ready to fit.](https://usercontent.one/wp/aylshamwindmill.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mill-con-22-e1380811951830-300x213.jpeg?media=1695219977)
The fire escape, ready to fit.
![Laying the patio and front step](https://usercontent.one/wp/aylshamwindmill.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mill-con-25-e1380811911916-300x216.jpeg?media=1695219977)
Laying the patio and front step
![Plastering the internal walls](https://usercontent.one/wp/aylshamwindmill.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mill-con-29-e1380812170482-300x213.jpeg?media=1695219977)
Plastering the internal walls
![There! That didn't take long.](https://usercontent.one/wp/aylshamwindmill.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mill-con-27-e1380812105592-300x226.jpeg?media=1695219977)
There! That didn’t take long.
![Mill con 28](https://usercontent.one/wp/aylshamwindmill.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mill-con-28-e1380812397499-300x214.jpeg?media=1695219977)