Ground Floor

Step through into the entrance hall where light, wood effect flooring instantly evokes a relaxed, holiday ambiance.

On this level you will discover a family bathroom with shower over the bath, a charming twin bedroom with chest of draws and stand-alone wardrobe, while the walls are adorned with summer inspired artwork.

Additionally, there is a cosy double bedroom boasting a large wardrobe with shelves and space to hang your clothes.

At the end of the hall there is an impressive king bedroom spanning the width of the property with its own dressing area and ensuite shower room. Sliding glass doors open to an expansive overwater deck, offering mesmerising views of the lake from bed while ducks gracefully glide by on the ever-popular Howells Mere. This lower deck is an idyllic spot close to the water where you can savour your morning brew or unwind with a nightcap before retiring to slumber.

First Floor

Ascend the carpeted stairs to arrive at double doors that beckon you into the first floor living area with strikingly high ceilings.

The dining table caters for gatherings of up to eight, while the galley kitchen, complete with gas hob, electric fan-forced oven, and NEFF microwave, stands ready for culinary adventures. You’ll find it well stocked with all the necessary glassware, cookware and crockery. Other modern conveniences include an integrated NEFF washer / dryer, dishwasher and fridge freezer.

It’s the expansive lounge area in ‘Thistledown’ that steals the show- with its high A-frame ceiling and glass roof, natural light floods the room. Floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall glass windows and sliding doors lead to a smaller deck with seating and the perfect spot to steal a quiet moment and appreciate the views. And on those cooler evenings, gather around the wood burner, the heart of the lounge.

Second Floor

The top floor features a mezzanine open double bedroom, offering plenty of drawers to store your clothes and an ample dressing area. This bedroom benefits from that floor-to-ceiling glass wall that enjoys pretty vistas of Howells Mere, visible from high above the lounge area. Please note there are no window coverings to the rear aspect of this room.

The owners are continually enhancing this property, so while many improvements have been made, there may be ongoing changes not reflected in the current photos or previous reviews. There is no BBQ in the property, and we will be updating photos in due course.  

‘Thistledown’ invites you to embrace nature’s beauty with only a short stroll to access Lower Mill Estate’s outer nature reserve and create cherished memories in this exclusive lakeside bolt hole.

Estate Rules   

• Quiet hours are observed after 11pm, we aim to maintain a peaceful and respectful environment for all residents and guests. 
• Hen and stag parties, including any related activities, are not allowed on the estate premises
• Work related stays for any purpose are not permitted on the estate

House Rules

• All our properties are non-smoking.
• Upon departure, kindly ensure that the premises are left in a clean and orderly manner, with all furniture returned to its original position and rubbish removed. There are bin stores located around the estate.
• A £500 refundable damage deposit is due the week before your arrival. You will be contacted regarding this.
• Please utilise the one parking space provided at the property. Additional parking is available at the main car park if needed. Please do not park in the bays assigned to other properties.
• This property is pet friendly.

What's included 

• Bath and hand towels 
• Tea towels 
• Ben linen 
• Bin Liners 
• Kitchen pack of cloth, sponge, dishwasher tablets and washing-up-liquid 

Property is self-catered. The house is fully equipped with cutlery and crockery

Spa use included but subject to availability (contact Spa directly for opening times). Pool towels can be rented from the Spa, please contact the Spa directly to arrange this. (01285 862640)

On-site restaurant and small market shop with seasonal opening hours. Availability can book up in peak weeks so contact Ballihoo prior to arrival to not miss out. (01285 840181)

Bike and watercraft hire are available at the Activity Hub as well as lessons. Please follow the link for more information: https://lowermillestate.com/activities/

Not all properties have direct lake access even though they are listed as lakeside. If you are unsure whether this property has lake access please check with our team.

Please be aware that the vegetation surrounding the property is subject to change according to the time of year. This may mean that the views represented in the photos above may vary depending on the season in which you stay with us.

Normal check-in is from 4 pm. Out of peak season, early check-in of 2 pm may be available (at an additional fee). Please contact our office team to enquire.

Check out during off-peak dates is by 10 am on the day of departure. During peak dates (school holidays) check out is at 9 am.

Travel cot and highchair are available for £10, subject to availability. Please advise at the time of booking. Guests to provide their own linen and mattress for the travel cot.

There are 4 electric vehicle charging points on the estate that operate on a first come first use basis.

Seasonal Closures

Somerford Lagoon Lake is closed from October – March due to nesting birds. The nearest canoe launch point is located near Mill Village as marked on the Estate Map.

The Somerford Nines (Clearwater 1-9). The private outdoor pool closes after the October half term and does not re-open until Easter.

The Miss Mouse Trail, run by the activity hub closes for the winter months. This is from 1^st November to the Easter holidays.

Please be aware that there is no waterside access to Swillbrook Lake as this is a nature conservation lake.

The following information will help you to locate Thistledown upon your arrival at Lower Mill Estate.

Village
Your property Thistledown is based in Howell's Mere

Property Number
Howell's Mere 25

Finding your Property
From the main entrance where the security hut is positioned, drive through the gate and bear left, drive through the car park ahead and exit right when you get to a four-way crossroads for Clearwater and Howells Mere properties.

Continue forward over the bridge taking the immediate right towards Howells Mere and Clearwater properties. Continue along this road and you will get to a point where the road splits off either left or right. Bear left and continue along the road passing the Spa and Tennis courts on your right and houses on your left. At the end of this road, you will see a bridge in front of you. Cross over this bridge into Howell's Mere and take the immediate left turning. Follow the road along, until you get to number 25 on your right-hand side. The property is positioned along a short path behind some boat stores. Your parking spot is just the other side of the boat stores, labeled with the number 25.

To assist you during darker evenings, you would be advised to bring a torch with you as there is no street lighting permitted on the Estate other than low-level lighting. 

Co-ordinates
Please use the below links to see the exact position of Thistledown on Google maps and what3words.

what3words: https://w3w.co/decking.recruited.premature 

If you are looking to book multiple properties with us we have some lovely properties that are close to Thistledown. 

Summer Breeze - Situated next door but one to Thistledown. | Sleeps up to 8

Woodlark  - Situated just along from Summer Breeze | Sleeps up to 10

Bryony - Situated just a minutes walk from Summer Breeze | Sleeps up to 10

Grayling House - Situated 3 doors along from Summer Breeze. | Sleeps up to 8

Please contact a member of our team if you have any questions on booking multiple properties.