About us
The original idea for a shared family residence and business came from the coming together of family members - all at different points in our lives! Maggi and Paul had both retired from their careers in teaching but weren’t ready to stop working, they wanted a new large scale venture; Alex worked in theatre and was already making a career out of creating events on bespoke sites, but he didn’t wish to buy and run a venue on his own; and once Abbi was involved, weddings and special events became a part of the picture too! So, we decided we’d co-own and operate a venue from home!
After a year of house hunting, Stillington Mill was found and chosen as our intended home and business. We purchased the property in 2014, spent a good two years renovating the house and grounds, then began hosting weddings, theatre, and events, alongside letting our beautiful accommodations (Mill Cottage and Shepherd’s Hut) for short-stay retreats. The rest is history.
Maggi and Paul on the steps of the Shepherd’s Hut
The history of stillington mill
There has been a mill in Stillington since the Domesday book was written in 1086. The current building dates back to around the 1750s, although it has been extended and extensively renovated since it was converted into a home. The Mill was closed for business in 1962 by the then owner Mr Geoffrey Shepherd, in whose family Stillington Mill had belonged for over 90 years. The original Mill House (no longer standing), at the time of closure, dated back to the reign of James I. The conversion of The Mill itself into a residence has successfully retained and preserved many historical features which can be seen inside the current family home and throughout The Mill grounds, including remains of the old sluice (pictured above).
For more information on the history of Stillington Mill, click on the linked button below.