Guest testimonials
Riverstone Mill is an absolute gem of a place. A sanctuary where time gently slows, resulting in long, lazy evenings listening to the constant, soothing sounds of moving water. There is a quiet rhythm to the setting that invites you to simply sit back and let the world slow down. Between the idyllic grounds and the warmth of its caretaker, it is a place that will linger in the memory long after we´ve left.
The owners have created a wonderful space to relax and unwind in. We loved the way the mill and its workings are integrated into the building and how the history of the mill is captured in the drawings and paintings inside. We had every facility we could have asked for and enjoyed them all - the wood fired hot tub, the pool and the tennis court all seeing a lot of use over the week. Some holidays really stay with you and we think our week at Riverstone will be one of them.
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Riverstone Mill
Rilla Mill, Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, UK
Up to 8 guests
Two well behaved dogs are welcome
Children and babies are welcome.Deep in Cornwall’s rural hidden heart near the River Lynher, this former watermill offers a slice of bucolic slow living at its best. True to its pastoral roots, Riverstone Mill lies inextricably woven into its natural setting, with much of the interior's wood coming from a fallen ash tree; and rich vegetable, fruit and flower gardens encouraging connectivity to the land. With a rustic-luxe farmhouse feel and eight-acre grounds complete with a river, wellness deck and swimming pool – this, surely, is paradise found. Read more...
Allows babes in arms
Allows children
Two well behaved dogs welcome
Wi-Fi
Swimming pool
Hot tub
Cinema room
Real fire
Tennis court
Sauna
TV
Gym
Barbecue
Cot
Highchair
Yoga deck
Sound system
Vegetable garden- More
Introduction
Once home to British cartoonist Norman Thelwell, the Grade II-listed mill house now lies in the hands of a new young custodian whose love and respect for the natural world emanates. Sustainability and regeneration abounds, with homage paid to the old mill's past thanks to a considered two-year renovation. Relics of its important history, like the once-churning water wheel and cogs, are left frozen in time. Now lies a Cornish manor wherein lovers picnic beneath the riverside willow, families congregate in the deVOL kitchen to make suppers of plum crumble and cream, and little feet chase just-hatched ducklings across the lawn.
Inside
An inner Eden; earth-inspired tones intertwine, eco-friendly Cornish lime plasters the walls, and floors remain in their original flagstone-tiled state or reclaimed board-by-board from a church nearby. Antique furniture salvaged from vintage markets brings character, and local artwork and poignant poems proudly pepper walls. Luxury additions including a copper Catchpole & Rye bathtub and French linen beds evoke the allure of a boutique Provençal hotel; whilst edgy, Brooklyn loft-esque design manifests in an industrial bathroom suite visible through glass from bed, and cinema snug created by sweeps of terracotta curtain.
Outside
Beyond the wisteria-clad walls awaits a permaculture cottage garden abundant with seasonal fruit and vegetables, young Cornish cider apple orchard, and greenhouse heady with the perfume of tomato vines. Among the foxgloves and dropmore purple, there’s a swimming pool, tennis court, gym and wellness deck complete with wood-fired hot tub and sauna. For those able to prise themselves away, Stara Woods – with its secret waterfall for wild swimming – and the north coast’s golden beaches promise long days beneath the sun. And nearby Coombeshead Farm for some field-to-fork dining.
The property has four double bedrooms; two with en suite bathrooms. The non en suite bedrooms have ladders to loft relaxation spaces, and can make use of the first-floor family bathroom and ground-floor WC.
Bedroom One
First Floor Double Bedroom
The generous master suite has a king-size bed, original beams and plastered walls. Through glass-panelled doors, there's a statement bathroom suite with a copper Catchpole & Rye bathtub, rainfall shower, WC and original mill features.
Bedroom Two
First Floor Double Bedroom
The second bedroom, with super-king French bed and desk, has an en suite bathroom with roll top bath, rainfall shower, Jack and Jill sinks and WC.
Bedroom Three
First Floor Double Bedroom
The third bedroom, with double bed and terracotta wood-clad walls, has a ladder taking you up to a mezzanine spill-out space. This bedroom makes use of the first-floor family bathroom.
Bedroom Four
First Floor Double Bedroom
The final bedroom, with double bed and plastered walls, has a ladder taking you up to a mezzanine spill-out space. This bedroom makes use of the first-floor family bathroom.
Family Bathroom
First-Floor Family Bathroom
The family bathroom resides in the corridor beside bedrooms three and four, and has a bath with overhead shower and WC.
- PricingFrom £5,995 per week, £4,495 per short break for up to 8 guests
An alternative group size of up to 4 guests is available during selected periods at a reflective rate - FeaturesOutdoor swimming pool (available May - September), wellness deck complete with wood-fired hot tub, sauna, tennis court, outdoor gym and Big Green Egg barbecue
- PetsTwo well behaved dogs are welcome
Each pet is charged at £60 per stay - FamilyChildren and babies are welcome.
- PracticalitiesThe property is situated down a country lane. There is private parking at the front of the house for up to four cars. The well-equipped kitchen features an oven, induction hob, dishwasher, fridge-freezer and coffee machine. Original features from the working mill remain in the property, so please use caution when encountering these. Likewise, when using the ladders to the mezzanines in two of the bedrooms as these are steep. There are areas of water surrounding the property including a river and mill ponds, as well as animals that graze in the fields nearby such as ducks and horses, so please ensure that children and dogs are supervised at all times. The three mill ponds that surround the house are very shallow and not suitable for swimming in. The garden is not fully enclosed
- Private cateringWhether you're looking for a fully catered stay or a one-off meal for a special occasion, discover your bespoke catering options
Explore private dining - RetreatsFrom surf lessons to dawn yoga and adrenaline-fuelled adventures, we work with the most inspirational of experts to ensure a truly tailored stay. On confirmation of booking, these details will be shared within your house book
Arrivals & departures
Arrival time: 4pm
Departure time: 10am
Other information
Fresh Produce
- Crusty loaf of fresh bread
- Fresh milk
- Free-range eggs
- Butter
- A selection of Cornish cheeses
- Coffee beans
- A bottle of Ripe cider produced in Cornwall
- Local Cornish honey
- Wild garlic pesto
Those all-important little luxuries
- Freshly cut flowers
- Luxury eco soaps
- Scented candles
- Luxury bed linen and towels
- Pool/beach towels
- Firewood, coal, kindling
- A selection of breakfast and herbal teas
- Coffee machine
- Olive oil
- Sonos Move Bluetooth speaker (located in the cinema snug)
- Board games
- Hairdryer
- Condiments, dried herbs and spices
- Recipe books
- Informative house-book guide
- Highchair
- Cot
House book - your property and destination guide
Together with the owners, we've collated everything you'll need to make the most of your experience, from insider tips on local gems to practical property information, all in one digital house book, shared the moment you book.
Bodmin Moor
Rising mounds of imposing granite, deep valleys brimming with leafy forests and remote villages hunkered around community inns roaring with welcoming laughter; Bodmin Moor is as wild and free as it is intriguing.
Getting there
- On the map The village of Rilla Mill is located in southeast Cornwall, north of Callington.
- By air Newquay Airport is an approximate 50-minute drive from the property, and 27 minutes from Bodmin Airfield.
- By car The property is an approximate four and a half hours from central London, and two and a half from Bristol.
- By train Liskeard Train Station is an approximate 20-minute drive from the property, with regular trains arriving from London Paddington and beyond.
“Time spent here feels like stepping into another world – one where nature, history and creativity come together.”
Riverstone Mill is a historic Cornish watermill steeped in character and charm. Nestled within eight magical acres in one of Cornwall’s wildest corners, it’s a place full of stories – and ready for new ones to unfold.
The house has a unique claim to fame: it was the inspiration for A Millstone Round My Neck by artist and cartoonist Norman Thelwell. In the book, he hilariously and heartwarmingly recounts his adventures restoring this very property after buying it as a derelict mill in the late 1960s.
You’ll see the mill wheel on the book’s cover – once turning, now still, but many of the original workings remain. In fact, you’ll find them in the master bathroom, where you can take a bath surrounded by the echoes of the mill’s industrious past.
Beyond the history, there’s so much to enjoy here: three mill ponds, a swimming pool, wood-fired hot tub, sauna, gym, permaculture gardens and a young orchard to explore at your own pace.
For me, time spent here feels like stepping into another world – one where nature, history and creativity come together. I hope Riverstone Mill brings you the same sense of peace, wonder and inspiration. Make yourself at home.
Discover the best destinations, experiences and restaurants to visit during your stay in Bodmin Moor. A larger selection of recommendations will be available in the property's digital house book.
To Do
Stara Woods, Liskeard
A collection of magical 17th century woodlands with a brook that runs over cascades, joining the River Lynher. Here, guests can enjoy a unique wild swimming experience between the trees.
To Eat
Coombeshead Farm, Lewannick
A working farm with Georgian guesthouse, restaurant, bakery (making the famous sourdough) and shop, set amidst 66 acres of spectacular Cornish countryside.
To Eat
The Crows Nest, Darite
A traditional Cornish pub on the edge of Bodmin Moor. Where an open fire crackles, good ale is poured and hearty classics sit beside vibrant dishes on the seasonally-shaped menu.
To Do
Polzeath Beach
One of North Cornwall´s best Blue Flag beaches, heralded for its world-quality surf and 500 metres of golden sand at low tide. There´s a choice of beachside restaurants to enjoy nearby.
Whether you're curious about pet policies, the nearest walkable pubs, or wild swimming spots, we have the answers to common property-specific queries here. For everything else, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Is Riverstone Mill dog-friendly?
Two well-behaved dogs are welcome by prior arrangement, subject to a £60 per week, per pet fee.
Is there a swimming pool at Riverstone Mill?
There's a heated outdoor swimming pool available from May to September, along with a sauna and hot tub.
What facilities are available at Riverstone Mill?
There is an outdoor heated swimming pool (available May to September), a hot tub, a sauna, a tennis court, and a gym, all at Riverstone Mill.
Can you swim in the lakes at Riverstone Mill?
The lakes are very shallow, so swimming is not permitted.
Below are a selection of features in which Riverstone Mill and Unique Homestays has appeared. If you would like to feature the property in an editorial capacity, please contact the marketing team on +44 (0)1637 882014.
complete an image bank request
The best places to stay in Cornwall
The Times
June 2025Wild at heart
25 Beautiful Homes
August 2026The entrepreneurs cashing in on the £1.3tn wellness holiday boom
The Telegraph
August 20265 waterside stays to book
Country Living
August 2026Time to cool off
The Times
July 2026Broad horizons
Harper´s Bazaar
July 2026The Times art critic’s favourite holiday homes with artful interiors
The Times
July 20265 beach houses to book
Country Living
July 2026
Related collections
Collections > Baby-friendly breaks > UK > Cornwall > Bodmin Moor > Riverstone Mill
