And dotted across the county you will see relics of our agricultural heritage nestled along them.
Today we have gathered a collection of photos from our archive of 11 Norfolk mills along our county's waterways in the 1950s.
These historic structures use hydropower to turn water wheels or turbines that drive mechanical processes like rolling, hammering or milling.
Please enjoy these pictures - we hope you might recognise some of the mills from your local area or trips out in days gone by.
Aylsham
Exterior picture of Aylsham Water Mill beside the River Bure. Also known as Millgate Mill, the building dates from c1794 though the mill is mentioned in the Domesday Book. Date: June 9, 1954. (Image: Archant Library)
Bintry
Bintry Mill on the River Wensum in the June sunshine of 1958. (Image: Archant Library)
Buxton
Buxton Mill on the River Bure was mentioned in the Domesday Book and the present mill is thought to date from 1754. Date: December 1958. (Image: Archant Library)
Corpusty
Corpusty Mill straddles the River Bure which forms the Corpusty/Saxthorpe boundary. Date: September 16, 1953. (Image: Archant Library)
Early autumn sun illuminates Corpusty Mill on the River Bure in Norfolk. Date: September 16, 1953. (Image: Archant Library)
Fakenham
Children sitting on the bridge in front of the part derelict Goggs Mill, also known as Hempton Mill, near Fakenham. The angler on the left is Micky Quelch angler on the right is Mervyn Edge. Date: September 2, 1953. (Image: Archant Library)
Hempstead
Hempstead Mill on the River Glaven is near Holt in north Norfolk and the present building was built in 1830 by John Gurney. Date: August 1954. (Image: Archant Library)
Horstead
While only ruins remain today, here we see Horstead Mill on the River Bure near Coltishall in March 1959. (Image: Archant Library)
Man fishing at Horstead mill on the River Bure near Coltishall. Date: April 29, 1953. (Image: Archant Mill)
Lenwade
The uninterrupted view of Lenwade water mill, where trees have been cleared to make a short-cut ford from the crossroads. Date: November 24, 1954. (Image: Archant Library)
Marlingford
A man in a rowboat enjoying the view of Marlingford Mill on the River Yare in south Norfolk. Date: September 1952. (Image: Archant Library)
Needham
Needham Mill on the River Waveney in south Norfolk. Date: August 29, 1959. (Image: Archant Library)
Tharston
A tranquil scene showing Tharston Mill on the River Tas at Low Tharston near Long Stratton. Dated: November 4, 1954. (Image: Archant Library)
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