Places to Visit - Thurne mill, Norfolk

Thurne mill In Norfolk 

From the moment you lay eyes on this magnificent structure, you can’t help but feel a sense of awe and wonder. Its towering silhouette against the Norfolk skyline, with the River Thurne flowing gently by its side, is a sight to behold. 

As you make your way toward the mill, you will notice its intricate details, from the wooden beams that make up the sails to the thatch roof that covers its top. The craftsmanship that went into building this mill is truly remarkable, and it’s no wonder that it’s become such a beloved landmark in Norfolk. 

But capturing the mill’s beauty through photography can be a challenge. That’s why I have put together this guide to help you if you decide to visit the amazing location.

Get there early as one of the best times to photograph Thurne mill is during sunrise. The soft light of the early morning sun creates a warm glow that bathes the mill in a golden hue. As the sun rises, the light becomes brighter and more intense, illuminating the mill in all its glory. Getting to the mill early also means that you can capture the mill without any distractions or other visitors. You can take your time to set up your shots and explore different angles and perspectives without any rush, and don’t be put off by a foggy morning either, as boats appearing out of the fog on the river work a charm too.

That being said, with the staith running east to west there are also plenty of fantastic photographic opportunities at sunset to be had from this excellent location that helps show off Norfolk’s big skies

Explore the surrounding area Thurne mill is located in as it’s a picturesque part of Norfolk, surrounded by fields, marshes, and the River Thurne. To truly capture the mill’s beauty, it’s important to explore the surrounding area and incorporate it into your shots. Walk along the riverbank, and you’ll discover an array of wildlife, from ducks and geese to swans and herons. You can also take a stroll through the nearby fields via the footpath, which provides a beautiful backdrop for your photos. 

Experiment with different lenses and techniques. To create truly stunning photos of Thurne mill, it’s important to experiment with different lenses and techniques. A wide-angle lens can capture the mill’s vastness and grandeur, while a telephoto lens can zoom in on its intricate details. You can also try using long exposure techniques to create beautiful motion blur effects in the water or the clouds above the mill. Alternatively, you can use a polarizing filter to enhance the blue of the sky or a neutral density filter to create a silky effect in the water or create amazing streaky clouds.   

Parking is really easy as you can park on the road at the end of the Staith real the Lion at Thurne pub, there are public toilets located here too.

The W3W for the parking is ///releasing.coping.melts

Useful information

  • The location can be very busy in the summer and parking can be limited, as can a clear shot of the water and the mill due to there being so many boats moored up.
  • Watch out for mosquitos in the summer months.
  • There are good compositions to be found by photographing the mill from the other side of the river.
  • The heavy frosts work really well at this location
  • Night-time photography can yield some good results from here