There has been a water mill at Tregoose since the late 1400’s with the current building dating back to 1750. It stands on the site of an old monastery which befell the anger of Henry VIII during the reformation. The original altar stone can still be seen in the garden and the stone that was used to build the mill is reportedly from the original monastery. Tregoose Mill has witnessed many happy and some not so happy stories and tales from previous owners and occupiers.

 

Samuel Sweet was a very well-known horse trainer in the south west of England and occupied Tregoose in early 1900’s. He died at Tregoose in 1907 aged 39 after falling from his horse at the ford. The horse arrived back at the house riderless.

 

Between 1914 and 1918 German prisoners of war were put to work on the land here. The land at Tregoose currently grows asparagus, strawberries, raspberries, wild garlic, gooseberries, rhubarb and our orchards provide us with various types of apples, pears and cherries.

 

Tregoose Mill ceased operation as a working flour mill in the 1920’s. The original waterwheel was destroyed when a group of local boys re opened the mill leat which then washed away the decaying wood structure leaving only the original mill wheel spindle which can still be seen on the lower side of the building.

 

Karen Chandler and her family have been the longest owners of the mill and such was Karen’s love of the mill she wrote a detailed history and sketched several illustrations, one of which is displayed on the right.

 

In 1954 a scheme to flood Tregoose to create a reservoir was revealed and the Chandler family fought hard to protest these plans. Their determination was rewarded in 1956 when it was announced that the reservoir would now be created further downstream at Nanswhyden where it stands today.

 

One of the most colourful characters who has owned Tregoose Old Mill was Sue Cameron. It’s fair to say that Sue loved the place which was sadly repossessed from her even though she had created a thriving guest house and restaurant in the mid 1980’s. The old menus from this time remind us of a simpler time when Ogden Melon was on trend in catering.  One thing for sure is that Sue loved Tregoose Old Mill and spent many years nurturing the gardens and internal decoration, rediscovering many original features. 

 

For many years local boys have caught brown trout in the River Porth which runs along our land. Tregoose enjoys many different types of birds and wild animals. Woodpecker, kingfisher, swallow, robin, blackbird, heron and birds of prey can be seen in the sky. We have been fortunate enough to see deer in the orchards, stoats by the ford and there are plenty of badgers and moles.

 

Stephen and Dean Clayton-Madge are the current owners and feel honoured to be part of the next stage of the mill’s history. Our vision has been to provide luxury country coastal retreats in surroundings that invite you to relax, enjoy time and forget your phones for a while. You don't just stay at Tregoose, you become part of its history.

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Pictures from the top: Tregoose Mill c1890 as a working flour mill, Mill gardens c1930, Mill house sitting room c1930, Tregoose Mill after milling had ceased  in the 1920's, Sketch of the mill garden by former owner Karen Chandler c1950, Sue Cameron, former owner, entertaining guests at Tregoose in the mid 1980's