The Granary self-catering holiday cottage, Roch Mill, Pembs Coast National Park
Granary lounge area
Granary main room
Granary Bedroom
Crogloft
Shower room
Roch Mill
Roch Mill and adjacent Granary self-catering holiday cottage
Green Issues
While some way from being energy neutral we are endeavouring to improve the "green" attributes of Roch Mill and Granary. The first thing we did when we came here was to install a Reed Bed to clean up the effluent from our foul water drains. This works extremely well and the resulting clean and nutrient-rich water now feeds our bog-garden on its way to the lower pond and river. This summer installed solar hot water panels to supply most of our domestic hot water needs. For our underfloor heating system we installed a 12kW heat pump. This uses bot a water-source and a ground source for the primary energy source. We've also added 16 solar PV panels to help offset our electricity usage. In the future we hope to drive the Mill's underfloor heating system using a heat pump driven by the new water wheel. This combination will supply over 80% of our heating needs.
Bumblebees - Link to Bumblebee Conservation Trust
Pembrokeshire is home to many types of bumblebee, including five endangered species. Our meadows are rich in tussock grass, which offers an ideal nesting area for bumblebees - as evidenced by the large numbers that buzz around our garden. However, the meadows are gradually being invaded by bracken and brambles. We try to control the onslaught by mechanical means but this year we will be introducing some wild ponys to help trample the unwanted growth. Importantly, their hoof prints will also create micro sites that enable wild flower seeds to germinate and we hope that over the coming years this will lead to the creation of extensive wild-flower meadows. Unlike sheep and cattle, ponies are particularly selective eaters and prefer to eat grass rather than the wild flowers.
Roch Mill and Granary in winter
Link to Granary self-catering holiday cottage Pembrokeshire - home page