Sowton Carpet Mills

27/08/2026

📣 COMMERCIAL FLOORING? LOOK NO FURTHER!

Our friends at Merlins Flooring Contractors Ltd are the commercial flooring company you need to know about for your upcoming projects. 👌🏼

Whether you’re working on an office, retail space, school or hospitality space, Kirsty & Tom, the husband and wife dream team behind Merlin Flooring, have got you covered.

They’re not only brilliant at what they do, they’re also conveniently based right here at Sowton Carpet Mills, with their own office within our showroom. 🙌🏼

So, if you’ve got a commercial flooring project in the pipeline, check out their page and drop Kirsty & Tom a message. They’ll be more than happy to chat through your requirements and, by appointment, can meet you right here at the showroom.

Go give Merlins Flooring some love! 👏🏼

We are a family run business of over 40 years based in Exeter, specialising in both domestic & commercial flooring.

~ Carpet tiles
~ Carpet
~ LVT's
~ Safety vinyl
~ Cushionfloor


For any samples or quotes required please get in touch!

25/08/2026

It’s hard to believe it’s now 18 years since Sowton Carpet Mills moved into our Exhibition Way showroom, but looking back at where it all started, it’s fair to say we’ve come a long way.

The story begins with Neil, who joined Sowton as a young single dad raising Luke and Abi, initially as a driver’s mate before quickly finding his way onto the showroom floor and impressing the then owners, Mr & Mrs Holt.

Then there was Phil, who many of our customers will know as our lovely estimator. Phil joined Sowton Carpet Mills halfway through a career as a carpet fitter, having already spent years fitting carpets across Exeter since the early 1970s.

Then, in the late 90s, Phil took on an apprentice.

Simon, A good looking, long haired lad whos stint as a semi pro skateboarder, took him around the world doing what he loved. His carpet fitting job was only meant to be “temporary” with his wages basically there to fund the wild weekends that came with being a true lad of the 90s. 🍻 🤪

In 2008, Mr & Mrs Holt decided to close the business, but John Holt offered Neil, Phil and Simon the chance of a lifetime. He sold them the company for just £1.

Three friends, one business and the start of a whole new chapter.

A few years later, Neil’s children joined too. Luke in 2013, Abi in 2018 and Cameron in 2020.

18 years later, there are more grey hairs, more wrinkles, Simon’s skateboard is firmly retired, Phil has swapped the tools for a clipboard and our fitting team has grown from 2 lads to 12.

But the important things haven’t changed.

Our passion for the business. Our love for our customers. Our pride in doing things properly.

And our golden rule:

“NEVER RIP A CUSTOMER OFF. AND IF THERE’S A PROBLEM, SORT IT, DON’T IGNORE IT.”

But above all, friendship.

As Neil has always said:

“We’re not business partners. We’re mates that work together.”

That probably sums up Sowton Carpet Mills better than anything else.

To our staff, fitting teams, suppliers, families and every single customer who has trusted us with their homes over the years…

THANK YOU. ❤️

Here’s to the next 18 years. 🥂

24/08/2026

Sowton Carpet Mills — satisfying your hoover line fantasies since 1996……… just ask 😉

23/08/2026

We’ve had the absolute pleasure of supplying and fitting flooring for Kim & Iain for close to 30 years, going right back to the days of the old Sowton Mills, when we were actually based in Sowton!

How STUNNING do these herringbone tiles from our girl Ariane Rickard at Project Floors UK look!

And because Kim & Iain couldn’t find a rug big enough to sit underneath their bed, we went one better and made one! Using the gorgeous Royal Sovereign range from Abingdon Flooring . The perfect finishing touch! 👌🏼

Kim O'Brien & , thank you for trusting us with your homes time and time again. You’re not just amazing customers anymore, you very quickly became friends, and it’s always such a pleasure working in your absolutely stunning homes. ❤️

💡 Need an amazing electrician? Look no further than Ian at

🏡 A landlord needing someone to manage your property, or looking for somewhere to rent? Speak to Kim O'Brien at Robson Group

20/08/2026

✨ A MESSAGE FROM LUKE ✨

Facebook, do your thing and find these two ladies, so I can say thank you. 🤞🏼

Last Wednesday, I decided to break my finger. (I know, big deal, it’s a bloody broken finger) 🖕🏼

For 24 hours I done the typical man thing and ignored it. I celotaped my fingers together and carried on. Eventually, even I had to admit that I needed to get it seen too, so reluctantly, off I went to A&E. 🏥

The lovely nurse who treated me, immediately recognised me, because I sold her a carpet a few years ago. We had a lovely catch up, she told me how much of a brave boy I was, and then broke it to me that my poorly finger was actually a bit more serious than I thought. Two fractures, torn ligaments, the works. 😏

Fast forward to today and I’m back for my follow up appointment in the Hand Therapy Department, where I met Sian.

And before she’d even looked at my hand, it happened again…….

“Oh hello… you sold me a carpet last year.”

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES!? 😂😂

I wanted to put this out there in the hope that both amazing women see it and know just how grateful I am. Thank you both for looking after me, putting up with my pathetic attempts at self treatment and getting my finger on the road to recovery. Both of you, and your colleagues have been bloody brilliant ❤️

Finally, just a reminder……….

1) Men really are the worse when it comes to injuries. If you’re hurt, physically or mentally go and see the Dr!

2) The NHS staff are absolute legends. The care, kindness and professionalism they show is something else. 🫶🏼

3) And most importantly… I can now style my hair with one hand. 😂

Thanks ladies. You’re both absolute stars. I hope you see this! ❤️

02/08/2026

👀⚽️❤️

30/07/2026

We’re incredibly proud to announce that Sowton Carpet Mills will be sponsoring EX DONS for the upcoming season! ⚽

To the manager, players and everyone behind the scenes we wish you nothing but success this season, and know that we’ll be right there cheering you on every step of the way!