Ancient Mill * - Sleeping 8 + 2

Filled with original features including beamed ceilings, planked wooden floors, lintels over windows, flagstone courtyard, original mill scales, meat hangers, and in the basement the original, still functioning millstones!

This 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom property has been recently renovated using traditional, and where possible the original materials to create just the right ambience, for a different holiday!

The Mill itself has been perfectly preserved, and children will love being shown how it actually works!

Situated in around 5 hectares of land, 2.3km down a private unmade road, passing through chestnut woods, and clearings perfect for secluded picnics, the Mill is of course a riverside location, and there are plenty of trout here for the keen fisherman…. For those who prefer just to cool off, there are many spots in the river, where one can sit and read, and if the children bring their wellies/jellies, they can play for hours…………..

As well as the beautiful river there is the rarity of a pool! It is extremely difficult to gain permission for a pool beside such an historic building, so it is not large…..

The pool is perfectly designed to blend in with the surroundings. It is surrounded by a grassed area for sunbathing , and edged by original flagstones, designed to look like the washing pools once prevalent in the area.

But, no need to bring the linen here, just relax with a book or glass of wine on the seated area all around one edge of the pool! A perfect size for a dip, a cool off, or for children to play, the pool is 4M x 4M and 1.45 M in depth (standard depth).

PLEASE NOTE THAT PHOTOS ARE TAKEN IN WINTER AND ALSO BEFORE REFURB FULLY FINISHED


This is a perfect choice for a totally ‘alternative’ holiday, staying away from it all in authentic, but comfortable accommodation, beside the river, and with great opportunity for walking. This would be a wonderful family holiday, and I imagine it would be impossible to tear children away from all this outdoor fresh air complete with private woods, river/stream and pool………….

For adults, let this olde worlde, away from it all location smooth away the stresses of modern life. Relax with a book, and the odd glass of wine, where the only sound that can be heard is the river, and the birds……………

Additional property information

• Ground floor – enter into small living room with original fireplace, original built in dresser (vetrina) beamed ceilings and traditional style flooring

• This living room leads through to a further living/diner, with plenty of space for eating inside, and with further comfy seating. Again there are original beamed ceilings, and traditional flooring. There are meat holders hanging from the ceilings, and the original mill weighing scales attached to the wall as it was many years ago. Modern comforts include, CD, DVD, SAT TV, telephone and internet access.

• The first living room also leads to the kitchen which has been really cleverly designed. The units have been hand made, and are made of solid, heavy wood originally found in the house. At first sight it is impossible to believe that this kitchen does in fact house a dishwasher, fridge/freezer and all mod cons. In addition, the kitchen has an oven/hob and microwave, and a small kitchen table.

• Also on the ground floor is a downstairs shower room and twin bedroom, built in the old ‘cheese rooms!’

• There is also a utility room with washing machine……….

• Upstairs the Mill boasts a further 3 bedrooms, 1 twin and 2 double, overlooking the river, and the ancient courtyard, covered with vines.

• There is a large family bathroom on the first floor, with antique claw foot bath (for the romantics!) , separate shower cubicle, WC and sink.

• From the ground floor, why not take stairs down to the cellar and explore the original and still operating Mill stones.

Across the courtyard, and into the old barn which can be rented as an optional extra, one finds a beautifully restored little building housing a small living room, double bedroom, and shower room. Again there are beamed ceilings and the bedroom romantically opens up onto personal outdoor breakfasting terrace with views over the trout stream/river. Additional cost £250 (not rented without mill)

Outside:

• Reams of countryside; chestnut woods; views of mountains beyond; trout stream (prefect for paddling, playing and fishing) ; private pool with seating area; courtyard with traditional flagstones, covered by vines, for romantic al fresco dining; BBQ, outdoor wood oven, and further pergolas not far from pool, covered by vines for shade………..

• Parking, just over little bridge.

Despite the remote location, 2.3km down an unmade road,  there is a beautiful mediaeval village (Sillico) well known for its mediaeval festivals, stunning views, widely described as the best panoramas in the area, and monks retreat just a 2.5km walk/drive. Here there is also a well regarded restaurant, complete with al fresco dining option, shop and bar

For walkers, this is a paradise! One can walk to the village detailed above, and there are other villages within walking distance cross country too, and many hill tops with stunning views……….

The large village of Pieve Fosciana is less than a 15 minute drive away, and here one can find shops, bars, banks, a wonderful delicatessen with home made takeaway food, and a renowned (well priced!) restaurant/pizzeria

Further afield at say a 20 min drive is the market town of Castelnuovo famous for its Thursday morning market. All facilities can be found here including train station, bars, restaurants and shopping.

For days out , the walled medieaval City of Lucca is just over an hour away; Barga is less than half hour; Florence, 1 hr 35 mins, and Pisa 90 mins. The real beauty of the area however are the hundreds of hilltop villages, to visit, all with stunning scenery and almost all barely touched by time. An example, is the fully walled fortress village of Castiglione, which is less than a 15 minute drive and also has a restaurant, and bars.