Exquisite Mill House nestled in the South Downs.

Description

Stedham Mill House, which is listed Grade II, dates to the late 18th century or early 19th century. Set at the end of Mill Lane, which is owned by the property, in an elevated position above the river Rother, its location within the South Downs National Park is wonderfully rural, yet the popular and picturesque market town of Midhurst is less than 3 miles away.

The house offers a superb balance of beautifully presented reception spaces and 6 double bedroom suites, set over 3 floors in total. The current owners renovated the property in 2006 and as part of the project created a wonderful kitchen/breakfast room, which has underfloor heating, and made all 6 bedrooms en suite. The charming drawing room, which is approximately 25 ft by 22 ft, has three windows and French windows affording lovely views over the gardens, river and land. For those requiring space to work from home, there are two studies, one of which can be accessed from outside as well as internally.

Upstairs there is an impressive principal suite with two dressing rooms and two bathrooms. Three further bedroom suites, all beautifully decorated, occupy the rest of the first floor, accessed from a central landing. On the second floor are two more bedroom suites, ideal as over flow rooms for family and friends or perhaps for an au pair. The laundry is also sensibly located on this floor. There is a second staircase leading from the family room adjacent to the kitchen that leads from ground floor to first floor, which is a practical feature, particularly useful for families with children. From the reception hall, a staircase leads down to the wine cellar. Underneath the house and garden but accessed externally is the oil tank room, boiler room and store rooms.

In addition to the main house, there is ancillary accommodation in the form of Stedham Mill Cottage; a delightful detached 2 bedroom property of just over 1,000 sq ft. The barn and stables are within a detached ‘L shaped’ building, opposite the main house, which extends to approximately 2,153 sq ft and could be used as stabling, garaging, storage and indeed may have the potential to be converted, subject to the usual consents.

The current owners carried out substantial landscaping to create additional usable garden spaces around the house for enjoying the setting. In front of the symmetrical façade of the property is an exceptional rose garden, which makes for a wonderful first impression. There is also a magnificent Plane Tree, which is subject to a Tree Preservation Order. There are 5 rare black poplars in the meadow opposite the house, which were planted by the current owners.

The river Rother runs through the gardens and land, affording double bank fishing and enhancing the rural tranquility of the setting. The land extends to approximately 24.31 acres in total, comprising gardens, 2 paddocks and woodland. Please note there are two footpaths across the land as indicated on the boundary plan.

Location

Stedham Mill lies approximately 3 miles outside Midhurst, within the South Downs National Park. The village has a garden centre, social club and a pub, The Hamilton Arms, which has a Thai restaurant. The historic market towns of Midhurst, Petworth and Petersfield are all within a 9 miles of the property and offer range of local amenities from coffee shops to supermarkets. The South Downs National Park is a spectacular setting for a country house. The landscape hosts an outstanding network of footpaths and bridle paths across some of the most breathtaking countryside in the South East. Cowdray Park and Goodwood afford a lively social scene for anyone into polo, horse racing and motor racing. For sailing enthusiasts there are several centres along the coast, including Chichester Harbour, Itchenor and Bosham. The cathedral city of Chichester offers a wealth of attractions, restaurants and shops in a historic setting. The city is home to Pallant House Gallery, Chichester Festival Theatre, Bishop’s Palace Gardens, Fishbourne Roman Palace and numerous museums.

Midhurst has a primary school and there are a host of independent preparatory and secondary schools in the area, including; Ditcham Park, Bedales Prep, Bedales School, Conifers School, Churchers College, Dorset House School and Seaford College.

Square Footage: 5,566 sq ft


Acreage: 24.31 Acres

Directions

From Midhurst, at the roundabout take the A272 exit on to Petersfield Road. After 1.6 miles turn right on to The Street. Continue on The Street for 0.4 miles then turn right on to Mill Lane. Continue on Mill Lane until you reach Stedham Mill House located at the end of the lane. Please note, all times and distances are approximate.

Additional Info

The earliest reference of Stedham Mill is dated 1785 in a painting by a Dutch artist, Hendrik-Frans de Cort, showing the Mill situated on a possible Domesday site thus listing it as one of the half dozen most ancient Mills in West Sussex.

In the late 18th Century, Stedham Mill formed part of the Estates of the Peachey family of West Dean, later passing to the Hamiltons of Iping in the 19th Century. The Hamilton Arms, a nod to the Hamilton family, still stands in Stedham today.

The Mill was known for producing flour throughout its lifetime, and in the late 19th Century, provided electricity for the Mill, Mill House, Mill Cottage and further cottages in the lane. In 1901, the Mill was destroyed in a fire and was rebuilt shortly after, with the addition of the Turbine House in around 1910, changing the generation of power from the traditional water wheel to turbine generation. The Mill continued to produce flour until it was shut down in 1928 and subsequently demolished due to modern milling methods and the importation of Canadian Grain. The Turbine House still remains and is owned by the Environment Agency.

In 1950, Stedham Mill was purchased by Commander Holbrook VC, now buried in Stedham Churchyard. Commander Holbrook purchased the Mill House as a working farm for both arable and dairy. Five years later, he used the stone and brick from the demolished Mill to build the two end wings and the stone wall for Stedham Mill House.