Rock Mill, the main dwelling on this site, is a picturesque house, formerly a cottage with attached flour mill powered by a water wheel until the turn of the c.20th. Construction is of traditional granite and slate with the recent addition of double glazing and a wide slate-floored front porch leading into the living room. This double aspect room displays its history in very interesting features such as a massive oak beam and grinding granite stones in the rear wall. It is also a very comfortable room with a wood burner set into the wide granite hearth, with oak floor and naturally well-lit with patio doors to the rear terrace leading to the studio. Adjacent to the living room is an office - a long, triple aspect room with smart wc to the rear, a small lobby with door to the rear terrace and windows to the side and front.

On the left of the living room is the dining room which was the original cottage as can be seen by the beamed ceiling, the open granite chimney, wide slate hearth and entrance directly from the front garden. Next is a galley style cooks' kitchen, well fitted with units, a gas Rayburn and an Aga with electric ovens and gas hobs, dishwasher etc. Up steps to a small, light utility room with the back door out to a small courtyard and a second utility/pantry with freezers, fridges and boiler, with ample shelved storage for large cooking utensils.

Stairs to the first floor arrive at the family bathroom, with newly installed cast iron roll top freestanding bath with a lovely view of woodland, separate shower. A separate wc is adjacent. The rear double bedroom is pretty with its original mill beams, practical fitted shelves, a new en suite shower room, and has a delightful view over the rear garden and studio. The twin bedroom is bright and has a lovely view of the front higher terrace and mature, fruiting fig tree. The principal bedroom is a large double, also with excellent built in wardrobes and a lovely view over the steps down to the large lawn across to the river and woodland garden to the front drive.

Outside and additional accommodation

To the side of the mill, across the slate terrace featuring the original grinding wheels, is a granite and slate two car garage. Bordering the garden on its higher side is the branch line, with occasional small trains, as if to remind that beyond this sylvan idyll there is a busier world. The property benefits from over 500 metres of riverbanks and three large lawns.

Naturally, where there is a river there are beautiful plants, waterfalls featuring gunnera manicata, tree ferns, and mature trees, shrubs (R. Falconeri), wildflowers, cultivars and habitats aplenty. The paths and drives around the garden are level and the grounds extend across the narrow parish lane to four secure garages, carpark, a poultry house/run (with resident geese) and security cameras. The boundary is an adit under the road into the river.

Along the lane, over the old stone river bridge, is the entrance to the gravel drive through the old orchard to parking for the Cider Press. This is a delightful little granite cottage, with hot tub, set on an elevated private terrace overlooking the orchard and boulder strewn garden, surrounded by mature trees. The front door enters the bedroom with fully tiled en suite shower room and large laundry cupboard. Stairs rise to the airy, open plan kitchen, dining and sitting room, conveniently fitted for holiday use. Modern touches, such as Velux roof lights complement the neatness of its small windows and overall prettiness.

The gravel drive continues along the valley to the stunning, recently built Dippers, an architect designed larch, steel and granite construction set into the hillside where once there were three granite cottages, long since dilapidated. All granite used here was already in situ and live oak tree supports came from the woods. A brief description of this house can hardly do it justice as it immediately impresses, offering aesthetic interest. Enter the open plan living area where bifold doors open north and west onto the generously sized dining terrace, with additional sheltered dining area and large woodstore. Electric Velux roof lights compliment this lofty space, enhanced by limestone flags (underfloor heating). A wood burner with back boiler is set into the original ancient granite alcove. A triple bedroom shares this floor and has a pleasing en suite bathroom where the shower is set into an original granite wall. Solid oak doors add to the natural effect and are used throughout all the buildings on this property.

Stairs turn to the first floor and the large galleried kitchen with steel and glass balustraded mezzanine overlooking the living space. This is a fabulous room, oak laminate floored, fully fitted with units, shelving, an Aga range with gas hob and electric ovens and extractor above, attractively tiled. Adjoining is the plant room. The roof holds solar panels which heat the water here. The front door leads out to a gravel path with stone steps up to the boundary hedge and a gate onto the lane. Off the kitchen is another beautiful, bright bedroom featuring leaded, stained-glass panels depicting the dipper, the bird rarely seen elsewhere, but found all over this river. There is an en suite shower room. This bedroom has a south easterly aspect with a view of the woods and monumental boulders.

On the sheltered side terrace is provision for a private hot tub. There is an outbuilding with laundry and utility facilities, a wc and the intended battery store for a future PV system.

The garden continues towards the bluebell wood and the far boundary. The river is bridged to an island and rapids, from where the viaduct is glimpsed through the trees. There is a sixth garage in the grounds, secure and powered and used to house the ride-on mower and garden maintenance equipment.

Returning towards the main house there is a hot tub area and finally, a studio, a Belgian made pine log cabin with electric Velux roof lights and two sets of patio doors, just steps from the house, a charming self-contained retreat with wood burning stove, fitted kitchen area (dishwasher/fridge), an electric shower and wc, with a double-bedded room under the eaves. This is set on an elevated BBQ dining terrace.

There are several practical features of this property that will be shown in a visit, such as water reservoir tanks, oil tank, large dry woodstores, bridges, paths, mains electric illuminating bollards throughout the grounds; also, the use of specimen plants and layout of this property is so charming that description needs to be supported by a visit.

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