When Anna and Robin first looked out across the meadows beside the River Trannon, they saw not just the remnants of an old mill, but the beginnings of a dream. Drawn back to Mid Wales by a deep sense of belonging, the couple behind Mill House envisioned transforming the crumbling stone buildings of their family’s farm into a sanctuary where nature and people could thrive together.
“The idea for Mill House was inspired by our location,” Anna explains. “The setting of an old Grain Mill made of stone and slate, crumbling Hay Barn buildings, brick piggeries, an old apple tree; all next to the river and all needing sensitive renovation. It’s our corner of the world – unspoilt Mid Wales, a Celtic land of forests and mountains – that our family has lived and farmed since 1945.”
After more than a decade of planning, they left their busy lives in London to return home. “We had a dream to share it with others,” they recall. “So we left big jobs in London to breathe new life into the environment and create a bespoke hideaway where nature and people can thrive as one.” In April 2023, with the help of skilled Mid Wales craftspeople, that dream began to take shape.
For Anna and Robin, there was never any doubt that Mid Wales was the right place. “It’s the most beautiful, understated region,” they say. “After a lifetime of walking past the setting and dreaming about making it the most wonderful destination, we finally got planning permission and started building.”
They remember the exact view that first captured their hearts. “From the East Meadow, looking towards the site from the front of the original Mill House, with the trees providing shelter, the Trannon River alongside, the crisp blue sky above and the historic hills in the background…it’s the perfect setting to step away from the busyness of daily life.”
That sense of harmony between nature and structure defines their approach to design. “Rooted in nature and inspired by the outside landscape would be the best description,” Anna says. “My starting point is always the natural world, combined with local materials and the history of the properties. Robin’s creative eye is influenced by the farmer in him, looking at what materials work best in the landscape.”
For Hay Barn, they chose a colour scheme of rust, larch and slate with a shot of blue – “that look literally became our design bible.” Mill House, in contrast, takes on a softer palette. “With a wizened wisteria on the façade, we chose an oak and aged patina brick palette,” Anna adds.
They even considered the four elements as part of their concept. “We looked at each part of the estate in terms of whether the buildings represent Fire, Earth, Air or Water and designed accordingly. How the buildings sit next to the gardens is also key, so the planting of the grasses at the Hay Barn works with the interiors, as does the native herb garden set just outside the kitchen.”
Their style was refined over years in their listed farmhouse. “Since we left London and our tiny space there, we’ve spent a decade experimenting with design. We love mixing contemporary furnishings with an older building frame and softening the space with key lighting.”
Their attention to history is most evident in the Piggeries, once a cart shed for the mill’s horses and cows. “Furnishings needed to be sensitive to the origins of the building,” Robin says. “We kept the brick lining inside and used natural materials – stone floor, oak trusses and larch cladding – to keep the feel rustic, albeit now rustic luxury.” Inspiration comes from everywhere: a vintage Octane magazine print in the Piggeries, a woollen wall hanging in the Hay Barn and oak leaf prints in the Mill House – each telling a story.
When asked which space captures the soul of the project, they both agree it must be the Mill itself. “It’s hard to talk about anything other than the original working mill gearing, cogs and grinding stones which are still in situ as they were over 250 years ago,” Anna says. “It’s an incredible sight, beautifully lit. When you sink into a sofa in the Mill House and read by the fire or have a glass of wine, you’ll see the funnel shoot where the precious grain was milled.”
For them, preserving these details isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s about connection. “We’ve restored the Mill so guests can imagine all the stories of the space. We hope they have a thoughtful moment as they slow down and enjoy the property, remembering what life was like before our digital age.”
Looking ahead, Anna and Robin are letting nature take its course. “The setting will mature over the next few months as the location embeds itself back into the landscape,” they say. “We all strive to achieve balance, and that includes nature, so we look forward to giving the estate time to settle whilst still investing in the spaces. Ultimately, we can’t wait to see guests enjoy the properties – and our smallholding animals are looking forward to seeing them too!”
Mill House is more than a luxury escape. It’s a story of homecoming – of a family’s land brought back to life through care, creativity and respect for its past. Here, among the meadows and millstones, guests are invited not just to stay, but to slow down, reflect and reconnect with the rhythm of the Welsh countryside.
If you have any questions about any of our cottages or if you’d like some help with your booking, you are very welcome to get in touch with us.
We are always happy to help and go out of our way to tailor your perfect UK holiday.
Pudleston, Herefordshire
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