Segway Navimow Saves Ten Hours a Week at Restored Mill

A robotic lawnmower is transforming the upkeep of a large heritage garden on the Hampshire coast. Owners Simon and Amy Davies use a Segway Navimow Terranox to manage the more than 6,000-square-metre lawn at their Grade II-listed property, The Old Mill in Milford on Sea.

Simon Davies explains their philosophy. "We've a real belief in autonomy and automation," he said. The couple has spent nine years restoring the historic mill site, blending modern technology with tradition throughout the home and garden.

A Garden Reclaimed from Disrepair

The garden had been left overgrown and was damaged by yearly floods for nearly three decades before the Davieses began their project. Simon described the initial challenge: the land had fallen into disrepair, with uneven ground, dense overgrowth and no meaningful lawn. Restoring the space required extensive groundwork, including the preparation of over 3,000 tonnes of soil. Despite a late sowing window, the new lawn established quickly into a dense, resilient sward.

The Robotic Solution to a Vast Lawn

With the lawn now at the heart of the garden, the question of maintenance became most important. The space includes a pond and a stream, uneven turf, and is frequented by wildlife. The Segway Navimow, a robotic mower, was identified as the ideal solution. Simon states it saves them an estimated ten hours of mowing each week during the summer, reclaiming time they would otherwise lose. The device successfully handle bumps and avoids creatures in its path.

The automation also provided flexibility. The Navimow enabled the couple to manage additional lawn areas they might otherwise have struggled to maintain. "It relieves us of some responsibility," Simon added. The wider renovation project, which included installing over a kilometre of trenches for a ground source heat pump, gained national recognition by featuring on Channel 4's 'Tinie Tempah’s Extraordinary Extensions' in October 2021.

Blending Innovation with Heritage

The project at The Old Mill demonstrates how modern technology can be integrated into traditional garden settings. The thriving lawn now provides a rich, green canvas that anchors the outdoor space, offering a striking contrast to the site's formerly derelict state. For Simon and Amy Davies, the robotic mower represents a practical application of their belief in using technology to tackle life's chores, allowing them to enjoy the results of their nearly decade-long restoration without the weekly burden of manual lawn care.