6 Bedrooms Detached House - For Sale
The Retreat, Frome, Somerset Guide Price £1,700,000
6 3 4
Unique mill conversion close to Frome town centre with flexible live-work accommodation including two bedroom annexe, outbuildings, productive orchard and hydro-powered electricity.
Flexible Live/Work Accommodation with Separate Annexe
Stunning Views Over Nature Reserve
About the property:
An extraordinary RIBA award winning property in a secluded location minutes from the centre of Frome, Wallbridge Mills is a unique conversion of a historic mill and now offers versatile live-work accommodation with the benefit of its own hydro power generation, nearly two acres of land including a productive orchard and vegetable garden, and stunning views across a nature reserve.
About the inside:
The flexible living accommodation over the first and second floors has a wonderful industrial feel with stone walls, cast iron pillars and soaring vaulted ceilings with beautiful exposed A frame timbers. Oak floors and woodburning stoves are a feature in almost every room, whilst recently fitted metal double glazed windows take in the views of the river, weir and nature reserve beyond.
An industrial metal staircase leads up to the entrance hall with doors into the open plan kitchen/living/dining room. This cosy dual aspect room features a bespoke granite topped kitchen and Everhot range cooker, stone and oak floors, woodburning stove and exposed beams. Beyond is a generous study/bedroom with the original millstones set into the floor, and a modern en-suite bathroom.
From the entrance hall, window-lined oak stairs lead up to the principal suite. This incredible triple aspect room has a vast vaulted ceiling incorporating a mezzanine study or additional bedroom accessed via a spiral staircase. A bespoke bookcase opens up to reveal another bedroom or dressing room, and a beautiful en-suite bathroom includes a spa bath and walk in shower. Sun tubes and skylights provide additional natural light.
The other wing of the property offers a huge living room, again with vaulted ceilings with beautiful beams and a large woodburning stove. A recently built bay window is a perfect spot for a telescope and ideal for watching kingfishers and otters. A generous bedroom or studio leads off the living room and incorporates a large walk-in linen cupboard. An inner hall leads to a number of smaller rooms including two bedrooms, small kitchen, utility room, shower room, and access to the workshop. This hall can also be opened up to the two bedroom annexe beyond.
The workshop has a concrete floor, plenty of storage and a garage door to the front for access.
Underneath the living accommodation is the under croft, or machine room. A modern generator has been fitted to the original mid-Victorian turbine to generate 10kw per hour of electricity. Doors lead out to the terraces overlooking the river and weir.
Annexe:
Attached to Wallbridge Mills is a delightful two bedroom annexe with a separate entrance, enjoying open plan living, bathroom and en-suite shower room. The annexe benefits from French doors opening onto a rear terrace overlooking the river, and could be incorporated into the main dwelling. It is currently tenanted and would make an ideal Airbnb property.
About the outside:
This unique property is discreetly tucked away down a private lane and accessed via a bridge across the River Frome. The driveway widens into a generous parking area where there is an electric car charging point. The garden and orchard of apple, pear and plum trees sit to the north of the property where a small pavilion offers a tranquil spot to relax. A timber artist’s studio with bi-fold doors sits alongside the hen run whilst a productive vegetable plot to one side includes a large greenhouse, woodsheds and compost bins.
To the front of the property a covered terrace provides the perfect place for al-fresco dining, whatever the weather, and riverside terraces behind the mill allows for quiet contemplation and the possibility of a dip in the water.
About the area:
Wallbridge Mills is situated on the outskirts of Frome, yet is only a few minutes’ walk to the railway station and town centre. Close by can be found the Rye Bakery, gallery and a gym. Frome prides itself on the great selection of independently run shops that line the historic cobbled streets as well as its fabulous restaurant and cafes and many boutiques. Frome is well known for its markets and its monthly artisan market on a Sunday which attracts many visitors. There is a rail service that is on the Paddington Line which also feeds into the cities of Bath & Bristol. Transport links will take quickly to the cities of Bath, Bristol & Salisbury.
Babington House Hotel and private members country club just a few miles away while the nearby Orchardleigh estate provides an excellent golf range and scenic walks. The Longleat and Stourhead estates are also close by. Frome and the surrounding area also offers a number of well regarded state and independent schools including All Hallows, Sexey’s, Downside and Millfield.
