The Mill House (Caz’s house & Viriditas Studio HQ)






































The Place:
A 1700s flour mill, surrounded by eight acres of diverse landscape, we are fortunate to be custodians of a truly remarkable plot of land.
The River Alham weaves its way through the property, offering a home to an extraordinary tapestry of wildlife. From the darting flash of kingfishers and herons skimming the water’s surface to the occasional sighting of otters, we are constantly reminded of the vitality of this place. As dusk falls, a barn owl sweeps over the fields, while the steady rhythm of woodpeckers, deer, badgers, buzzards, and slow worms punctuates the landscape.
This land, rich in history and wildlife, is a haven for so many creatures—and we are privileged to care for it. Every step of the way, our design and stewardship has been guided by a deep respect for the natural world.
The DESIGN:
The majority of our eight acres remain wild, with the larger four-acre paddock—which was once overgrazed and depleted—undergoing a transformation into a more biodiverse space. This process is far from finished, but the foundations have been laid. To date, we have dug a 0.3-acre wildlife pond, planted 400 native woodland trees, and established a one-acre food forest. We’ve left the thistles to grow and watched, as the land has come alive with clouds of butterflies and dragonflies. Looking ahead, we are committed to increasing this diversity, with plans to sow yellow rattle and enhance the native wildflower population.
With the restoration of the Mill House now complete, we turn our attention to the external spaces, where we continue to use local materials in a way that’s both thoughtful and sensitive to the landscape. The drive has been resurfaced with Somerset Buff Self Binding Gravel, and new planting beds, crafted from local stone, are filled with a mix of flowers and evergreens.
In the coming months, we will dredge the old mill pond and stream, giving them a new lease of life, and will plant thousands of Fritillaria meleagris, a flower well-suited to the damp conditions here.
Looking ahead to next year, we plan to transform the courtyard into a space that invites both relaxation and entertainment. Giant slabs of local stone will form the foundation of a gravel garden, providing a sense of structure, while creating a space to dine and entertain. By the mill pond, we will build a stone dipping pool—an oasis where we can unwind at the end of the day.
HABITAT CREATION
Every corner of this place is evolving, but always with an eye on the natural rhythms and balance of the land. It is a slow process, but one that brings deep satisfaction and joy as we watch nature return to reclaim its place.
A 1700s flour mill, surrounded by eight acres of diverse landscape, we are fortunate to be custodians of a truly remarkable plot of land.
The River Alham weaves its way through the property, offering a home to an extraordinary tapestry of wildlife. From the darting flash of kingfishers and herons skimming the water’s surface to the occasional sighting of otters, we are constantly reminded of the vitality of this place. As dusk falls, a barn owl sweeps over the fields, while the steady rhythm of woodpeckers, deer, badgers, buzzards, and slow worms punctuates the landscape.
This land, rich in history and wildlife, is a haven for so many creatures—and we are privileged to care for it. Every step of the way, our design and stewardship has been guided by a deep respect for the natural world.
The DESIGN:
The majority of our eight acres remain wild, with the larger four-acre paddock—which was once overgrazed and depleted—undergoing a transformation into a more biodiverse space. This process is far from finished, but the foundations have been laid. To date, we have dug a 0.3-acre wildlife pond, planted 400 native woodland trees, and established a one-acre food forest. We’ve left the thistles to grow and watched, as the land has come alive with clouds of butterflies and dragonflies. Looking ahead, we are committed to increasing this diversity, with plans to sow yellow rattle and enhance the native wildflower population.
With the restoration of the Mill House now complete, we turn our attention to the external spaces, where we continue to use local materials in a way that’s both thoughtful and sensitive to the landscape. The drive has been resurfaced with Somerset Buff Self Binding Gravel, and new planting beds, crafted from local stone, are filled with a mix of flowers and evergreens.
In the coming months, we will dredge the old mill pond and stream, giving them a new lease of life, and will plant thousands of Fritillaria meleagris, a flower well-suited to the damp conditions here.
Looking ahead to next year, we plan to transform the courtyard into a space that invites both relaxation and entertainment. Giant slabs of local stone will form the foundation of a gravel garden, providing a sense of structure, while creating a space to dine and entertain. By the mill pond, we will build a stone dipping pool—an oasis where we can unwind at the end of the day.
HABITAT CREATION
- Wildlife Pond (0.3 acres): Completed in 2023, this pond was funded in part by a grant from the Somerset Rivers Authority. It now serves as a thriving habitat for aquatic life.
- Food Forest (1 acre): Planted in 2022, this food forest is already maturing well, with a mix of 82 edible and nitrogen-fixing trees, providing a varied and sustainable source of produce.
- Native Woodland Whips (400 trees): Planted in 2023, this woodland garden is part of an ongoing effort to increase biodiversity and provide a richer, more diverse ecosystem.
- Polytunnel: Built in 2023, the polytunnel has proved to be a valuable asset, supplying 50% of our fruit and vegetables for 2024.
- Orchard: The existing orchard has been revitalised, with new plantings of cherries and apricots added to complement the mature trees.
- Woodland Garden & Tree Swing: A new woodland garden has been planted, with a tree swing to invite moments of joy and connection to the land.
- Meadow Management: A program of meadow management is underway. This winter, we will sow yellow rattle after the pigs have grazed and disturbed the ground, an important first step in rejuvenating this area.
- Tennis Court Gardens: Hundreds of ornamental grasses and verbena have been planted around the tennis court, softening the space and bringing a sense of harmony to the surroundings.
Every corner of this place is evolving, but always with an eye on the natural rhythms and balance of the land. It is a slow process, but one that brings deep satisfaction and joy as we watch nature return to reclaim its place.
PROJECT |
The Mill House |
DURATION |
2021 |
STATUS | Ongoing |