Natalie is here to tell her incredible story of how she, and her husband Steve, fell in love with Suffolk from just one visit back in 2007, and how they threw all of their time and passion into renovating an historic derelict windmill transforming it into award-winning, state of the art, exclusive boutique accommodation. Here to tell us more about their remarkable experiences and what to expect from your stay at The Windmill, Suffolk is Natalie Roberts AKA Mrs Windmill!
www.thewindmillsuffolk.com
SHOW NOTES
Natalie talks about visiting Bury St Edmunds back in 2007, with her husband Steve, for the popular Christmas Market and whilst in their hotel room browsing through a local newspaper and admiring the Windmill and its surrounding property, but they felt it was too far off the commuter route for them to continue working in London. It was just 2 months later, and quite by coincidence, that her mother called her and told her she had found an ideal property for them all to move to – it was the very same property! The Windmill, Suffolk.
They moved in 8 weeks later and dreamed about running luxury guesthouse from The Windmill. After six years of living at the property they were able to pursue the dream in full, and threw themselves into restoring and renovating the Windmill.
The build and final renovations took two years in full and they finally opened The Windmill, Suffolk to guests. The project was so successful that Steve is now looking for more Windmills in the area to renovate and is permanently ‘on the look out’.
Following the success of the project came many unexpected awards – notably from The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and the Royal Institute of British Architects for the extraordinary build. The Windmill as a luxury accommodation has also been recognised by the East Anglia Daily Times and Eastern Daily Press as it was listed in the nominations as finalists in the highly acclaimed Norfolk and Suffolk Tourism Awards for several years running.
Natalie says herself ‘from two people with no experience in hospitality or the building trade– we’re very proud, it doesn’t feel real that we own a windmill in luxruy holiday accommodation market – it’s our dream.’
Natalie also tells us about their guests being a mix of very local people to across the world including Australia and Alaska.
Natalie talks about the guest experience – first of all with surrounding attractions Lavenham, restaurants in Bury St Edmunds, beautiful villages such as Cavendish, Long Melford and Clare, as well as close by Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket, to Cambridge, which is just a 45 minutes drive. Suffolk is a beautiful English County with sleepy villages and vibrant town and rich culture and heritage and not forgetting its long stretching coastline from Felixstowe to Southwold. Guests are different everytime – sometimes people come on their own, just to get away and recharge, and couples who don’t wish to leave
The Suffolk Pod Show showcases the most brilliant entrepreneurs, creatives and business leaders, connecting Suffolk’s business and cultural community in one space.
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