Being the "new tennant" i can say there are a lot of rumors and hear say about whats going on.
Strangely no one ever asks us the actual tennants!
best rumor so far has been the mill is to be pulled down and replaced by a windmill....... see below.
It is planned that in time the watermill will reopen, however not quite on such as scale.
Speaking from the horses mouth as it were, we moved in in August last year, another tennant currently has most of the land for horses and the top yard /museum as a commercial stables, the tea room is unviable as the council stuck 26,000£ year in rates on it the estate are looking into other uses. The insurance on the mill is 4000 /year, plus rates and the mill still needs quite a lot of repair work after the 2007 floods. The good news is that my husband repairs mills (wind and water) for a living and its well underway, and will again grind corn. We did open for national mills weekend in may (8-9th) dispite my husband having a broken ankle and will again in september for the heritage open weekend.
We also have our own banbury built 1866 steam engine and several vintage tractors, oil engines etc so could probably put on our own show, though would be happy to host an event.
We know nothing of the lions or have we been approached by any locals offering help or even showing interest.
The warwickshire pole lathe turners still work down here one saturday every month (in our garden)
There is also currently a windmill on site being rebuilt for a client of my husband.
I can only suggest that you keep an eye on the website or phone for info, hope this clears up a few mixed up comments.