Property description
This is a fascinating former mill, privately situated in enchanting Cotswold countryside and not overlooked by any other property. Although extremely private, the property is not isolated with the village being less than a mile away. The locality also forms part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The property is approached via a private driveway with a track continuing to the far perimeter of the property. The mill itself is divided between the original mill cottage, and the mill building which cleverly incorporates a self-contained flat. The main building is also capable of being divided and is presently occupied in two parts hence the two kitchens. However there is no distinct division which enables the two parts to be lived in as a whole. Furthermore, the lack of load-bearing internal walls makes it easy to convert for a wide range of purposes.
On entering the mill building at upper ground floor level, there are four bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and two studies, one of which could form a fifth bedroom if required. The principal staircase in the atrium offers extensive views over the garden and leads to the lower ground floor where there are two generous sized reception rooms, together with two kitchens and a utility room and cloakroom. There is also direct access on to the paved terrace. On the first floor and approached from a secondary hallway is the self-contained flat which comprises two bedrooms, a sitting room, bathroom and kitchen. On the second floor there is a games room, at the far end of which is a large purpose built store.
Forming the front façade of the property is the Georgian mill cottage which provides a sitting room, kitchen, two bedrooms and a bathroom. This accommodation could easily be used by family, as a holiday cottage, for staff, or could be let. To the side of the property is a gravel parking area in front of the garage, behind is a useful workshop, with boarded loft storage area, garden tool/woodshed and oil tank store. The layout of the gardens has been inspired by famous English gardeners and provides idyllic settings which complement the house. The Doverte Brook passes through the grounds; a sluice gate controls the flow of water down the stream, where three further ponds can be found.
On the opposite bank to woodland, is grazing land which makes the property suitable for those with an interest in keeping livestock. Beyond the grazing is a fenced copse of more than 500 indigenous trees and shrubs forming a superb wildlife habitat.
The garden comprises level lawn, areas planted as shrubberies, rose beds, herbaceous borders, a woodland garden, and an orchard. The aim is to pass seamlessly from more formal planting near the house, to a wilderness on the property boundary, while at the same time incorporating the features of the natural landscape and maximising habitats for wildlife. There are four ponds, the mill pond which originally provided the power for operating the mill. A second is devoted to more formal planting, a third provides a haven for water birds and a fourth incorporates an island with a hut.
A public footpath, once employed by those needing to access the mill, is now very rarely used, skirts around the garden in the adjacent paddock away from the house.
In total, the property extends to just under 7 acres.