A Guide to the Villages of the Lower Mill Estate
Visitors to the Lower Mill Estate in the Cotswolds often find themselves a little puzzled by the layout of lakes and villages that make up this beautiful nature reserve.
Recently, this confusion has been compounded by new signage on the estate. The shiny new colourful signs were designed to encourage traffic to circulate, rather than do u-turns. As such, the signs don’t necessarily give you the shortest route to your destination…in fact, you could unknowingly already be at your destination and they might sign you to drive round in a large loop until you return to your starting point.
The main confusion the signs have caused is for pedestrians. If you are walking around the estate, it wouldn’t be wrong to say don’t follow the signs. In several locations, they point in opposite directions to the same location depending on which direction you approach them from.
Confused? You’re not alone.
This guide to the different villages of the Lower Mill Estate will help you get your bearings during your stay and understand what makes each area unique.
Mill Village – The oldest part of the Estate
This is the oldest part of the estate and is the part that is most true to its Cotswolds location. Here you’ll find thatched and tiled Cotswold cottages built with local stone. Before the lakes were excavated, the estate was an arable and livestock farm with a farmhouse and water mill. The old Lower Mill water mill, once powered by the Thames, still stands today and has been converted into the Activity Hub, where you can hire canoes, paddle boards, bikes and tennis rackets.
Village is quite a loose term – in this context it refers to a collection of houses of similar style. It doesn’t include what you might traditionally find in a village: a church, a shop or a pub! One row of houses is built along the young River Thames. There is also a collection of houses built around a pond. And then there are some houses which look out onto Somerford Lagoon, the largest lake on the Lower Mill Estate. The houses themselves are an interesting mix and include some round houses which echo some of the historical architecture of the area.
One feature of a village that Mill Village does have is a Village Green. At one end of this you’ll find a playground, tennis court, outdoor pool with sauna and grassy area with a trampoline and football goals.
At the edge of Mill Village is an area for parking.
Clearwater Village – Glass Fronts and Lagoon Views
Clearwater Village introduces another area for confusion. The immediate assumption is often that Clearwater Village refers to just the houses around the small Clearwater Lake. In fact, it is a much larger area and as well as including the houses around Clearwater Lake it includes houses on the western shore of Somerford Lagoon and houses along a stream which links Spinney Lake with Somerford Lagoon.
These houses are more modern in style than those of Mill Village and most boast large glass frontages (or should I say ‘backages’ as generally the back of the houses face the lake) to maximise their waterside location. Unlike Mill Village, where some houses don’t have any water frontage, all these houses look out on some water, although for some it may only be a relatively small pond.
Some of the finest lake frontage on the Lower Mill Estate is found here. Many of the houses along the shore of Somerford Lagoon enjoy uninterrupted views across the lagoon – including our own lakeside holiday home, Daisy Chain. It is perfectly positioned for both views and lake access. Somerford Lagoon is open to watersports from April – September.
Somerford Nines – A Private Enclave
Somerford Nines is a collection of nine houses in a private gated area of the estate. Yes, you’ve got it: a private gated area within a private gated estate. Although the name suggests direct access to Somerford Lagoon, these homes are separated from the lake by a narrow channel of water and a reeded area.
Orchid Village – A Missed Landmark, A Unique Setting
Originally, there was planning for a signature piece of architecture in the form of a house which took close inspiration from an orchid. This was to be built in Orchid Village. However, plans changed and it never came to be. Orchid Village does however boast being another private gated collection of nine houses within the private gated estate. Orchid Village stands at the corner of Howells Mere.
Howells Mere – Lakeside Living with a Nature Reserve
The name Howells Mere refers both to a lake and to the surrounding cluster of houses, some of which are built around the lake. Most homes here face either Howells Mere Lake or Swillbrook Lake, which is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Because of its protected status, no watersports are allowed on Swillbrook Lake. Again, most of the houses have large glass ‘backages’ to make the most of their lakeside location.
Water Garden – Contemporary Living by the Spa
The Watergarden is a collection of homes built at the side of the award winning Lower Mill Estate Spa. Many of these properties have a roof garden and are built around a water channel. In theory you could canoe from this channel into Spinney lake, although in practise this might be difficult with the amount of vegetation.
Spinney Lake – Canoeing and Sunset Views
Spinney Lake lies on your right as you enter the estate and is edged by a line of contemporary homes, many of which have sloping green living roofs. This lake can be used for canoeing and paddle boarding all year round. A small water channel connects Spinney Lake with Minety Lake. Guests staying at Daisy Chain are able to launch the Canadian canoe on Spinney Lake between October and March when Somerford Lagoon is closed to give priority to over wintering wildlife.
Guests staying at Daisy Chain particularly enjoy walking to Spinney Lake at dusk and sitting by the shore watching the sun set over the lake.
Minety Lake – A New Addition
Minety Lake is one of the newest and final developments on the Lower Mill Estate. Unlike many of the older lakes formed from gravel pits, Minety Lake was deliberately excavated to create additional shoreline on which to build houses. Shaped like a figure of eight, with two small islands, it offers a distinctive waterside setting.
Millstone Park – The Social Hub
Between Clearwater Lake and Minety Lake lies Millstone Park, one of the liveliest areas of the estate. This is where you’ll find:
- Two tennis courts
- A multi-use games area (MUGA)
- A playground and soft play area
- A volleyball net
- Ballihoo restaurant and Pizza Shack
It’s a bustling family hub, especially on sunny evenings when people gather for food, games, and socialising.
Lakeshore Reserve – Along Swillbrook Lake
It’s time to explain a further confusion: not all houses around all lakes are part of the same village. Lakeshore reserve is a row of houses along the northern shore of Swillbrook Lake with a mixture of architectural styles, from single-storey cottages to larger homes with roof gardens. By contrast, homes along the eastern side of Swillbrook Lake belong to Howells Mere village.
House Numbering on the Estate
One last quirk to mention – house numbers on the Lower Mill Estate can be as confusing as the signage. The shore of Somerford Lagoon on which Daisy Chain lies is a prime example. Daisy Chain is 26. Then you’ll find 27, 28, 29 and the next house…99 followed by 30. Got it?
Let’s go a little further along the shore. You’ll find 37, 38, 39, 49 and then…can you guess? 101.
Howells Mere is equally puzzling: here you’ll find houses 71, 72 and 73 followed by 122, 121 and 120. And yes, they really do number in the opposite direction.
The numbering system often tells more of when the plot of land was originally sold or when the house was built than its location.
Final Thoughts – and a map of the Lower Mill estate
A map of the Lower Mill Estate is available to download. Guests staying at Daisy Chain have access to our digital guide book which contains the map.
The Lower Mill Estate is a unique destination – part nature reserve, part unique homes with a fascinating blend of architectural styles and landscapes. Once you’ve learned your way around the villages, you’ll discover each has its own character.
Whether you’re here for watersports, wildlife, a milestone celebration or simply a relaxing family break, understanding the estate’s layout will help you make the most of your stay.