Eccliffe, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 5RE

A characterful former Victorian flour mill on the banks of the River Stour, with four bedrooms, a detached studio and secluded riverside gardens.

Eccliffe Mill sits in a quiet wooded corner on the banks of the River Stour. Its stone and brick elevations, regular rows of sash windows and steeply pitched roof still emulate its working past. The surrounding valley has a notable artistic connection: John Constable often stayed in locally with his friend John Fisher, the vicar, and sketched the old bridge at Eccliffe. The mill is now a delightful home of real character, with about 1,800 sq. ft of accommodation over three floors. Many original features remain, including exposed stone walls, gnarly beams and tall sash windows framing the river below. The front door opens into the heart of the house, a generous kitchen/dining room of nearly 26ft. A quarry-tiled floor runs throughout, and an open-tread staircase rises through the centre. The farmhouse style kitchen is fitted with Shaker style units and can accommodate long refectory table. At the far end banquette seating makes a relaxed area to relax and French doors lead out to the gardens. A few steps up lead to the sitting room, a cosy retreat with whitewashed stone walls, beamed ceiling, a wood-burning stove and a glazed door opening onto the terrace. On the first floor are two double bedrooms and the family bathroom. The bathroom features polished wood floor boards, a roll-top bath, and separate shower and an outlook over the river. On the second floor the principal bedroom is more than 32ft long and sits under the mill’s exposed roof timbers. An additional double bedroom is accessed via this room.

Outside The mill is approached along a quiet lane and has a sweeping tarmac turning area in front, with parking for several cars. Beside the house, a gated entrance leads to the outbuildings including the detached studio. Behind it is a store with a WC and basin. A separate timber barn gives further storage. Together they offer good scope for a home office, gym or hobby space. The gardens are a highlight of the property. A raised wooden terrace at the rear of the house is a lovely place to eat outdoors with the sound of the river close by. Beyond, lawns, borders and mature trees run down to the river, giving a rare sense of seclusion, with the River Stour and the old mill race running alongside.

Services Mains water and electricity are connected to the property. Drainage is private and may not meet all current regulations. An oil fired boiler provides heating and hot water. Ultrafast broadband is available and all mobile phone networks have good coverage.

Dorset Council Tax F

EPC: E

Directions Post code: SP8 5RE What3words /// baker.logs.wins

The Situation The hamlet of Eccliffe is ideally situated in an idyllic location but with convenient access to the local amenities. The town of Gillingham offers services to cater for most everyday requirements including Waitrose, Asda and Lidl supermarkets, pharmacy, bank, post office, doctors’ surgery, pubs and cafes. Gillingham also enjoys a mainline railway station serving London Waterloo (2 Hours) and the West Country and is located 4 miles from the A303 giving road access to the South West and London via the M3. For more diverse shopping and hospitals, the towns of Yeovil and Salisbury are 30 – 45 minutes by car. The area offers a number of highly regarded state and independent primary and secondary schools and numerous activities are on offer at the local leisure centre as well as golf, horse riding, cycling, rugby and football clubs in the vicinity. There are lovely countryside walks and places of interest to visit right on the doorstep.

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