For Margaret and Dave Hedley, the renovation of the Grade ll listed Thrum Mill in Rothbury, Northumberland was a true labour of love. The couple took on project management and completed much of the renovation work themselves, whilst working alongside Channel 4’s Restoration Man programme to track the mill’s gradual transformation.

The building was originally a working corn and water mill, used to make animal feed before its grinding days finally ended. The Hedley’s run holiday cottages and were looking to buy another property to transform into their new home. Margaret thought the mill was well out of their price range or capabilities but, before she knew it, Dave had made an appointment to view, and they subsequently found a way to buy it. Margaret had faith in her husband’s vision given she hadn’t seen the interior of the mill before they put the offer in.

The property is Grade II listed and there were 29 restrictions in total. Strict conservation requirements meant replacing the existing windows presented a huge challenge as the size of each opening could not be increased. Margaret was keen to ensure as much natural light entered the property as possible whilst framing the picturesque view of the river.

Bereco’s conservation-approved Flush Casement timber windows with a cottage bar design were the perfect choice. Slim frame sections maximise glazing areas whilst retaining the property’s period aesthetics and complementing the Mills external façade. The noise of the river can be quite loud when in full flow and Restoration Man presenter, Architect George Clark, was fascinated by the effective soundproofing properties the bespoke wooden windows provide.

One of the last major conservation areas to be finished was the replacement of the mill wheel. The couple have had this remade with limited references to follow and is used as an energy-efficient method of powering the property!

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