Location
Renovated and extended farmhouse in wildlife idyll, a lovely blend of old and new.
Set at the end of long drive, in great privacy and peaceful surroundings, Mill Farm is a brilliantly renovated and extended farmhouse. To have a house finished to this standard, in this setting surrounded by its own 13 acres of wildlife idyll, is increasingly rare. The luxuries not normally afforded for old farmhouses in this setting, such as underfloor heating, air source heat pumps, modern insulation and double glazed windows, are all enjoyed at Mill Farm, which despite the works manages to blend in with the surroundings.
The thorough programme of works have created a wonderful home. The original south facing façade was retained, and attractive bays were added, whilst a contemporary and significant extension transformed the back of the house with mellow brick and lime mortar and cedar clad first flood, an attractive mix of new and traditional construction. Absolutely everything has been done, with new electrics, plumbing, joinery, windows, kitchens, bathrooms the house now simply needs the next custodian to add their personal touches and choose the carpets in the living room and bedrooms.
A brilliant focal point of the house is the open plan kitchen/dining/living area, with a stylish yet subtle handmade kitchen, with large central island, larder unit, Lacanche cooker and the most wonderful view from the sink out over the land. At the end of the room are glazed doors opening out to a south to west facing terrace, ideal for al fresco dining. A large opening continues through a living area with fireplace and bay window, that can either be a cosy space or open to the kitchen. A more formal sitting room is a calming space to retire to, with substantial bay window and fireplace. A boot room and utility, with handmade cabinetry provides great functionality.
A spacious main hall with staircase leads to the first floor. A principal bedroom, with part vaulted ceilings creating a spacious, light and airy feel, enjoys a Juliette balcony and glazed doors providing a brilliant view out over the meadows and woodland beyond. An equally spacious en suite bath/shower room, with walk in shower and bath with a view, compliments the room perfectly. There are three further double bedrooms, two of which share a jack and jill shower room, and the charming 4th bedroom has the use of the family bathroom. All rooms have views over the surrounding land.
Outside
Mill Farm is where domestic life and nature blend together. The meadows, Alder Carr woodland, reed beds and wild areas attract all sorts of wildlife, from deer to owls, resident pheasants to many species of birds.
It is a complete delight with an almost mystical wildness about it all, and a timlessness. A newly laid gravel drive sweeps down to the house, with a grassed area to one side, and a newly levelled area to the other, ready to be seeded with grass or would make a great wild flower meadow. A generous gravelled parking and turning area is between the house and barns, with space for many vehicles. An original wall divides the parking area from the gardens.
To the south of the house is a large expanse of lawn, which stretches round to the west, so perfectly orientated for sun throughout the day. The gardens have been turfed for simplicity, and are a blank canvas for further planting, or the creation of herbaceous beds along the south/west facing wall. There is paving around the entire house, becoming a terrace to the south-east, for the morning and afternoon, and a further terrace to the south-west, adjoining the open plan kitchen/dining room, ideal for sunsets and views across the meadows.
The wider land is a mix of Alder Carr, meadows and will areas. Being a former small holding, the land was formerly grazed and managed, but has been left relatively wild for to support local nature. This creates a wonderful area to walk through and enjoy, but could be returned back to grazing if required.
An extensive range of outbuildings are to the east of the house. These are in the classic U shape, and of traditional construction, with the central courtyard having been covered too with a general purpose steel frame barn. The entirety creates plenty of storage areas, and has tremendous scope to fulfil the imagination of buyers with the likes of holiday lets, gym, wellness area, classic car garaging, work from home space, annexe or a combination of all the aforementioned. A further stand of derelict former piggeries are to the east of the barns.
View payable Stamp Duty for this property
What I love about this house is the mix of the new house behind the old façade, it is completely future proofed yet blends in with the surroundings.
Ben RivettProperty agent