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Manager: Sarah McQueen
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We stayed at Straw Angel Mill for two weeks in July with our daughter and grown-up granddaughters, and we all loved it. There is so much good to say about it that it is difficult to know where to begin. I will try to stick to the points that haven't been particularly remarked on in previous reviews. The old sawmill has been converted and modernised in stages, which means the lay-out is initially confusing, and getting from one part of it to another can be a bit of a journey (and the lighting is bit eccentric.) But it is a lovely building to be in, all beautifully done in wood, with masses of airy space. On the main (first) floor, as well as the open-plan kitchen/dining and living area, there are two good-sized double bedroods and a bathroom, and on the top floor, which used to be open-plan, there are two delightful bedrooms with sliding doors. Our granddaughters said they were the nicest bedrooms they had ever slept in. (The total peace and the gurgling sound of the stream that runs down beside the house help in that regard.) The patch of meadow that it is on is surrounded by fine big trees, but the house itself is always in full sun. On the other hand we had no difficulty finding cool spots in hot weather. On the lower (ground) floor there are an additional toilet and a huge shower-room. The kitchen has no dishwasher but everything else one might expect, and great big rectangular porcelain sinks and gushing hot and cold water. Others have mentioned the wild life; we saw a red squirrel twice walking calmly down to the stream close to the house, and on another occasion a hare in the same place. We went on several of the 'balades' or 'petites randonnées' that are in two folders in the house. They have excellent waymarking ('balisage') and laminated maps and directions to take with one. They are mostly between 6 and 9 kilometres (2-3 hours). They are a great way to get the feel of the countryside and see the huge profusion of wild flowers and butterflies. The landscape in that part of the Auvergne is just magnificent; words and photographs cannot do justice to its beauty, scale and variety. There is a lot commercial forestation, but it is all done in small parcels of land, and the trees are planted and felled at different times, so the view is always a mixture of bits of conifer planting at different stages, indigenous broad-leaved trees, and pasture. As you drive or cycle along the bendy roads (there are a lot of bends in that hilly region) you keep finding another great panorama spread laid out for you. Other reviewers have mentioned the markets. There is a market in a local village or town I think on every day of the week except Monday. Our favourite was at Usson. Many have mentioned the bathing lake at St.-Anthème; it is beautifully planned, with trees giving ample shade on the large grassy area, and well managed and maintained; well worth the 2 euro entry ticket. We particularly liked the boulangerie at Viverols, which has a great deal more to offer than bread and croissants: patisserie, cheeses, and more. The tourist offices in Viverols and St.-Anthème are staffed by friendly people who really want to help you find whatever it is you need. In fact all the many people we encountered during our stay were friendly and helpful, in the calm easy way that seems normal in that wonderful region.
One morning, on our dog walk (thanks for the map) we came across a farmer walking his goats, with his sheep (goat) dog. The goats and his dog were super-interested in our white golden retriever puppy. Although no-one could understand each other (we don't have French) we sort of understood that it was alright to let Oso off the leash. And total canine/goat joy ensued. The dogs played. The goats joined in. It was wonderful. The house is good too. Although Oso was not a fan of the stairs up to the living bit. I had to carry him up and down until he got his head around it. Great cycling too.
Owner response on 02-Jan-2023
Thanks John! I'd love to have been a fly on the wall when Oso met the goats & goat dog-priceless! R eminds me of taking a siamese cat for a walk in the Peak District- some sheep decided to follow him in a neat single file line as he walked around a big old tree. He walked faster to get away in a circle around the tree to escape the sheep on his tail and found he was then following the last sheep...
The pictures on the website give an inkling of this charming getaway. We wanted a place off the beaten track away from the hordes of tourists in Europe in July but with modern comforts and plenty of room. My teenage daughters discovered that there is life without internet. We all had a marvelous time. We visited the neighboring village Viverols and the nearest market town Ambert had everything we needed. The mountain lake was quite refreshing so we went there often. A perfect place for a peaceful holiday. Stayed Jul 2013
We live in the Alps and were looking for a get-away-from-it-all location for a long weekend with our dog. Sarah was kind enough to let us rent the mill for a few nights (as it was out of season) and we couldn't have wished for more. We loved the fact that there was no Wifi and phone reception only from the kitchen window. It meant that we just enjoyed the countryside, eating, drinking and playing Scrabble! Viverols is small but has all the amenities you need, the food at the Auberge up the road was local & totally scrumptious and the various footpaths near the mill kept the dog happy. It snowed, which is very unusual for this time of year, but the mill was toasty warm. It did mean we couldn't make much use of the garden, but I can imagine how lovely it must be in summer, particularly with the covered outside space. The mill is well-equipped in the kitchen and with games & books. Luckily the wood-burner, tins of candles and gas oven came into their own when we had a power-cut! We hope to return one day, next time with a group of friends. It was a great cosy weekend getaway, but is also definitely a place for summer BBQs and late-night guitar playing! Stayed Oct 2013
Last July we stayed at Straw Angel Mill for the first time, and we loved it so much that we went back again this September. We were delighted to find that there were still wild flowers everywhere, and an abundance of crickets, grasshoppers, moths, butterflies, bats... on walks from the house we saw a red squirrel, a polecat and tawny owls, and were lucky enough to see a deer, a stoat and a hoopoe in the garden! This area truly is a wildlife lovers' paradise. Lots of foraging possibilities too: hazel nuts, sweet chestnuts and blackberries, whereas last July it was mostly wild strawberries and raspberries. The house is lovely; a peaceful space with some beautiful touches and an emphasis on natural materials. I love the Straw Angel symbol in the wooden shutters! We enjoyed sitting at the end of the beautiful wild garden to catch the last of the sunshine, and it was so hot for most of our two weeks that we were able to make good use of the delightful hammocks in shady areas by the stream. I'm sure there is lots to see and do in the wider area but we only got the car out three days in two weeks - there are so many beautiful walks from the house, and everything we needed in town, not to mention the wonderful Auberge at the top of the hill - a must for a high quality, good value lunch! Thanks for providing the bikes: Peter cycled in to town most days while I was writing (the Mill is a wonderful space for creativity), and we went out for a big ride one day. So now we know how lovely it is there in summer and autumn, we think that next year we will have to try late spring, when I believe the wild flowers are spectacular! Stayed Sep 2013
Myself and 7 university friends (all in our mid-twenties) spent a week at the heavenly Straw Angel Mill in June 2013. If you want to spend a week (or more..which you will) away from everything, the idyllic hamlet of Paillange is perfect for you. Far enough out in the country that you feel at peace and have space to relax, yet the nearest town Eglisolles is just a 5 minute drive or 20-30 min walk. and further afield there is a plethora of charming French villages, sights and larger towns to explore. The house has been beautifully renovated whilst still retaining its charm, with lots of exposed woodwork and beams, it easily slept all 7 of us! with 2 beautiful double bedrooms overlooking the stream and an open plan attic space that easily sleeps 6! The house is fully equipped with everything you could need to enjoy your time there. We particularly enjoyed BBQ-ing outdoors, clearing the mezzanine dining are for morning yoga sessions, walking up the stream, spending the day at the local lake in St. Antheme, wandering round the beautiful Ambert and just generally enjoying the peaceful surrounding with some good drink and food. The owners Sarah & David are charming, polite and very knowledgable about the area, happy to answer any questions about the Auvergne and make recommendations for things to do, see and eat! You can tell they have put all their enthusiasm into the house! They couldn't have made the booking process easier either, all in all an idyllic house in a glorious location. I would definitely go back over and over again! Stayed Jun 2013