5 bedroom house

SITUATION AND DESCRIPTION Situated in one of Dartmoor's most idyllic and pretty hamlets is this delightful Grade II-listed former water mill.

With riverside frontage, woodland and adjoining fields and gardens totalling approximately five acres, the property provides the ideal opportunity to combine the delights of Devonshire countryside with an extremely comfortable and charming home.

Within three miles of Yelverton, where there is an excellent selection of shops including butcher, hairdresser, doctor's surgery, supermarket, cafes, public house and garage, Huckworthy Bridge is tucked away from main roads and has a timeless 18th century feel which creates an instant impression of calm and quiet.

From the Mill's bridge-side garden, the tumbling waters of the Walkham River pass under the 15th century Huckworthy Bridge. There has been a mill here since at least the 16th Century and both banks of the river near the bridge formed part of the Huckworthy Mine, which yielded copper and silver. Re-built in around 1820, the mill was part of a working farm under tenancy and remained so until the 1950s when it was first sold freehold.

The beautiful accommodation is suitable for a large family. Alternatively a rental annex opportunity could be created without difficulty, by re-separating the former mill house from the mill. The original mill building shares the accommodation with the original miller's cottage, to which it is connected via a modern 'bridge' seamlessly linking the two buildings. The sitting room is on the first floor of the mill above which is the principal bedroom suite and kitchen/breakfast and shower room on the ground floor. The mill house incorporates three further bedrooms and bathroom, with the dining room, study/bedroom five and utility room.

There are several original stone outbuildings including stables, shippen/storage barn, garage, log stores and a former animal stall workshop. A hydro-electric generator within the grounds provides a renewable energy source to the property as well as to the National Grid. Towards the end of its working life, the water mill had been converted to provide electricity to parts of Walkhampton and Huckworthy, but this fell into disuse soon after World War II. The new hydro-electric generating station is built on a small part of the land leased to an operating company and the property now enjoys low electricity tariffs when this is in operation. Using the old 16th Century mill leat, feeding water to a modern turbine, this generator delivers up to 100kw power to the National Grid and to the mill house. The house is thus supplied with electricity at the National Grid set 'export price'. If hydro-electric power is for any reason unavailable (as in when river levels fall below operating limits) normal grid supplied electricity remains connected automatically. The turbine is housed in a traditionally designed and totally silenced stone built powerhouse, situated on the river bank about 100 metres from the mill.

The land and gardens have been landscaped with gated paths meandering through the grounds, separating formal areas from the paddocks and woodland. Access to the river bank is available, with several areas to sit and enjoy the tranquillity. In places the river is sufficiently deep to swim in during warm weather. Fishing rights are under the control of the "Tavy, Walkham & Plym fishing Club", however by agreement, successive owners of the mill have been granted an honorary permit to fish along the property's river frontage.
 

ACCOMMODATION Reference made to any fixture, fittings, appliances or any of the building services does not imply that they are in working order or have been tested by us. Purchasers should establish the suitability and working condition of these items and services themselves.

The accommodation, together with approximate room sizes, is as follows: 

GROUND FLOOR  

RECEPTION HALL 15' 0" x 10' 5" (4.57m x 3.18m)  

SHOWER ROOM  

KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM 14' 3" x 20' 0" maximum (4.34m x 6.1m)  

WALK-IN LARDER 12' 3" x 5' 2" (3.73m x 1.57m)  

LIVING/DINING ROOM 17' 0" x 13' 9" (5.18m x 4.19m)  

HALL CORRIDOR 27' 4" x 3' 4" (8.33m x 1.02m)  

CLOAKROOM 10' 0" x 5' 3" (3.05m x 1.6m)  

STUDY/BEDROOM FIVE 11' 0" x 8' 9" (3.35m x 2.67m)  

UTILITY/HOBBY ROOM 15' 0" x 7' 4" (4.57m x 2.24m)  

WORKSHOP  

FIRST FLOOR  

SITTING ROOM 21' 7" x 20' 5" (6.58m x 6.22m)  

FAMILY BATHROOM 11' 7" x 7' 5" (3.53m x 2.26m)  

CONNECTING LANDING  

BEDROOM TWO 15' 9" x 9' 0" (4.8m x 2.74m)  

BEDROOM THREE 15' 3" x 10' 4" (4.65m x 3.15m)  

BEDROOM FOUR 10' 5" x 8' 2" (3.18m x 2.49m)  

SECOND FLOOR  

MASTER BEDROOM 21' 6" x 14' 0" (6.55m x 4.27m)  

EN-SUITE 8' 3" x 7' 0" (2.51m x 2.13m)  

OUTSIDE The property is approached from the picturesque Huckworthy Bridge onto a private driveway which leads to the Mill flanked by attractive gardens and the stables. On the river-side elevation is a courtyard parking area for several cars sheltered by original stone outbuildings including the garden store/garage, shippen/storage barn, car port and a former animal stall building/workshop which has planning permission for an artist's studio. Beside this and the riverside wall is an attractive rose shaded 'slate garden' sitting area. Between the Mill and the carport is an old iron water wheel from which the 'tail-race' runs through a stone lined tunnel under the drive to the river.

There is gated access down to the river from the gardens. A private gravel lane leads up into the fields, passing a small orchard and the hydro-electric powerhouse, which is tucked unobtrusively into the bank of the Walkham river. In turn this lane leads on to bluebell woods in which substantial trees are protected but which also provides an ample supply of coppiced fuel for the woodburning stoves. The stock fenced paddocks lie to the south of the property on the slope of the valley with connecting field and pedestrian gates, keeping areas secure and ideal for grazing. An ancient leat, [built 1578], channels water to the mill's water wheel. Following restoration of the leat as part of the new hydro-electric scheme, this now also feeds water to the modern turbine. Further details on the construction, operation and benefits are available on request. The delightful gardens have been landscaped with stone chipping paths, a wooden bridge and a variety of established trees and shrubs providing colour throughout the year. Seating areas have been added which are positioned to provide views over the valley and hamlet into the distance. The open moor is a short distance away.
 

SERVICES Mains water, private drainage, oil central heating, oil fired AGA, hydro-electric and National Grid electricity supply. 

OUTGOINGS We understand this property is in band 'G ' for Council Tax purposes.  

VIEWING Strictly by appointment with MANSBRIDGE BALMENT on . 

DIRECTIONS From Yelverton, follow the directions for Dousland and Princetown. Shortly after leaving Yelverton, bear left where signposted for Walkhampton. Follow the road through the village, passing the village pub and primary school. After half a mile or so, the road gently makes its way towards the Walkham River. The entrance to the mill will be found immediately before the river, on the right hand side.

Marketed by: Mansbridge Balment, Yelverton