Description

GUIDE PRICE £750,000 - £800,000

A fully restored historic mill tucked away in a peaceful town location. Substantial accommodation of approx. 3700 sq ft, over 4 floors, brimming with charm and character. Detached annexe, double garage and modest secluded garden with Leat.

Striking historic homes with incredible back stories do not appear on the market very often, and this gem of a find is no exception. With its fully working water wheel and all its finery on display throughout this 4-storey building, this home really is unique and very special. If a peaceful location, along with oodles of character and a huge amount of internal space are three of your ‘must have’s’ then this charming property could be just what you are looking for.

Located within a quiet no-through road, close to the centre of the town, you will find The Wheel, a Grade II listed quintessential four-bedroom mill conversion with its very own separate one-bedroom self-contained annexe. Steeped in local history dating back to the 1700's, the building has previously been used as a Flour Mill, a Fulling Mill and a Craft Centre. The water wheel and all its industrial features have been fully restored in recent years, and are tastefully displayed over all four floors of the property. It is the largest working water wheel in the south of England, spanning 20’ diameter and was designed to produce 20 horsepower. The current owners say that the water wheel and all its finery require very little in the way of maintenance.. At a push of a handle, the wheel can be in motion. Throughout this family home, there is an array of wonderful original oak beams, timber feature walling, deep window sills and floorboards, along with several iron columns adding character. The original sack pully is still in place at the top of the property’s façade, along with the internal cogs, hoppers, four grinding stones and the ’Wallower’ wheel.

Once you step inside The Wheel, you are greeted with the very welcoming open plan dining room, kitchen and informal sitting area. The kitchen has a classic country feel with its French Oak cupboard doors, granite work surfaces, butler style sink and Range Master double electric oven with five ring gas hob. There is also an integrated Neff dishwasher included in the sale and plenty of space for a tall fridge/freezer and washing machine. (The current owner also has a utility room at the rear of the garage that holds a washing machine, tumble dryer and space for additional white goods). The dining area is large and comfortably fits a sizeable dining table and chairs. The informal sitting area is a great place to relax in front of the wood burner or get involved with any socialising that is happening in the kitchen/ dining area. There is a rear lobby providing access to the rear of the property and a cloakroom. The original internal mill workings, which are lit by spotlighting, can be seen behind a double-glazed glass and timber screen. The current owners say it makes for a fantastic wine cellar!

On the first floor, you will find the formal sitting room which is huge in size, over two levels and currently works as a sitting room and study area. The original hopper, pulleys, cogs, grinding stones and Wallower wheel are on display here. The lower area has a gas log effect gas fire and a lovely set of French part-stable doors that open onto a Juliette balcony. Next to the sitting is a cosy, bright room which is currently used as an office (with full fibre broadband installed) but this could also be a fifth bedroom. You can access the rear garden from this floor too.

Offered on the second floor are three lovely bedrooms and a substantial family bathroom. The largest bedroom out of the three has an en suite shower room and enjoys an outlook over the water wheel and the far-reaching countryside.

The top floor is where the impressive main bedroom suite can be found. You certainly get the wow factor when set eyes on it, with its impressive vaulted ceiling, mill workings, walk-in dressing room, and en suite shower room. The room is large enough to take a sofa and plenty of bedroom furniture. Far reaching views of the countryside can be enjoyed over the neighbouring roof tops.

Aside from the main house, ‘The Loft’ is the name of the annexe that is accessed at the rear of The Wheel via a gated courtyard. It is located above the double garage of the property and is laid out over three open plan floors. You get a great feeling of space with its high vaulted ceiling and full floor to ceiling window overlooking the wheel. The large bedroom area is on a mezzanine with the kitchen, sitting room and shower room on lower levels. It works brilliantly if you wish to house a dependant relative or you could seek the relevant planning permission and use The Loft as a holiday let providing additional income.

The wheel has a double garage plus utility room, which is accessed across a shared driveway with two other properties. The secluded garden is down a small path and is perfectly peaceful and very private. There is a raised decked area which forms a bridge over the mill Leat that runs along the garden boundary. The decked area has a pergola over with an established wisteria. The perfect place to enjoy a cuppa or hosting summer barbecues. The current owners have a hot tub in situ which can be sold by separate negotiation.

The Mill wheel, which is some 20' (6.1m) in diameter, is located between the rear of 'The Wheel' and the garage.
From the driveway, steps lead up to the rear entrance of The Wheel, alongside the mill wheel, in The Loft annexe and up into the rear garden.

Situation

Chudleigh is a small yet thriving old wool town steeped in history. From rolling countryside, the wilderness of Dartmoor National Park and the beaches of the South Coast, you’ll find dramatic landscapes and an array of towns and villages from quaint, traditional, rural communities, to diverse waterside market towns, all within a short drive of Chudleigh. Much of the landscape nearby is protected and maintained by the National Park Authority, and boast some of Devon’s top attractions right on the doorstep. Neighbouring the A38, there is excellent access to Plymouth and M5 to Exeter and beyond.  Mainline rail links to London Paddington are also just a 10 minute drive away in Newton Abbot.  Amenities are plentiful from pubs, restaurants, cafés and delicatessens to health centres, various sports facilities, post office and library. The traditional town centre hosts a very popular Thursday and Saturday market too. Schools include a primary within the town and numerous, highly regarded private schools in the area including Exeter School, Maynard, Stover and Trinity, and Torquay Girls and Torquay Boys Grammar, all within a 20-30 minute drive away. For keen golfers, there are three golf courses to choose from that are within a 15 minute drive.