Somerton Mill - cottage for holiday let

Somerton Mill

Somerton Mill is a 'gingerbread cottage', set in a secluded position, surrounded by trees, watercourses and water meadows. It consists of a large stone and brick-floored kitchen/living room with an oil-fired Rayburn at the kitchen end and a large wood-burning stove at the living room end. An open staircase leads to a large bedroom incorporating a gallery, and a bathroom. A stable door at first floor level opens up onto a set of stone steps leading down to a riverside barbecue area. The house itself is a converted stable set on the site of the historic Somerton Mill (dismantled in about 1920). The sensitive conversion retains all the character of the original building which is believed to date back to 1665.

Although the Rayburn is fully functional, there is also a modern ceramic hob cooker. The kitchen is well-stocked with utensils and features a large Belfast sink. Cupboards and drawers are made from reclaimed floorboards and work surfaces combine old oak boards and slabs of marble. There is a washing machine, fridge and freezer.

The bedroom is an open space that extends right up to the roof. The flue from the wood-burner runs up through the room, helping to keep it lovely and warm in the winter. On warm days and nights, the first-floor stable door can be left open providing a view across to the river, which passes about ten metres away from the house.

The bathroom features a large cast iron claw-foot bath, ideal for long soaks after a hard day of country living. The flue from the Rayburn runs up through the room, keeping it nice and warm. An immersion heater in the airing cupboard can provide additional hot water at times of the year when the Rayburn is turned down low.