Grindstone Mill, Alderley, Cotswolds

This stunning, 3-story, 6-bedroom, 4-bathroom mansion is in a magical setting in the southern Cotswolds. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, untouched Cotswold countryside, with the original mill course running in front. Secluded but just 6 miles from Badminton, 10 miles from Highgrove, 20 miles from Bath and 23 miles from Bristol. Two reception rooms with fireplaces, a study and spacious open-plan kitchen-dining room. An ideal property for a group or a family with support staff. *2 dogs accepted. The space As you turn off the little country road on the outskirts of Alderley village and down the drive to the mill, following the Little Avon River, you’ll be mesmerised by the sight of this beautiful property. A mill has stood on this site since the 11th century and has been a family home for many centuries, with the current owners updating the interior to make a resplendent country home. In front of the house is a small lake with a wooden bridge, providing a link for the local footpath to continue past this bucolic scene. A patio and knot garden, with aromatic plants and culinary herbs, sits between the house and the mill course, with a garden laid to lawn and mature borders to each side. Grindstone Mill is decorated in the style of a classic Cotswold country home, with statement pieces of furniture, antiques, paintings and sumptuous fabrics, combined with the conveniences that modern-day living demands, including a fully equipped kitchen, WiFi, and two smart TVs. For entertaining, the Mill has a fabulous open-plan kitchen and living-dining room (with direct access to the front and rear patios), a snug with a smart TV and wood burner, and an elegant sitting room also with a wood burner. The six large double bedrooms—two with super-king beds, three with king beds and one with twin bed—are arranged over three floors and comfortably sleep 12, with 1 en-suite bathroom in the master bedroom, two family bathrooms and one family shower room, serving the two lower floor bedrooms. To the rear of Grindstone Mill, the owners run an online luxury larder, Caspian Caviar, selling caviar, salmon, truffle oil, champagne and more. (Luxury hampers and goods can be delivered to you during your stay. See Points of Note for more details.) A narrow lane continues past the mill to a working farm. Ground Floor Guests enter Grindstone Mill from the rear, passing from the parking area across the patio to the French windows, which open into the open-plan Living-Dining-Kitchen Area. Living-Dining-Kitchen Room This beautiful, spacious and light room, with its fabulous wooden floor, pale yellow walls and contemporary chandeliers hanging down from the vaulted ceiling, extends all the way from the back to the front of the property. Windows overlook the rear patio, the side garden and the mill course at the front. The Living Area is furnished with a three-seater sofa, two leather armchairs, an over-size footstool, a bureau and pine dresser, holding glassware. Between the Living Area and Kitchen is the Dining Area featuring an extendable dining table that comfortably seats 12 (10 seats shown in the photo). At the far end of the room is the fully equipped kitchen, featuring a fabulous view over the mill course, private lake, boathouse and bridge. At the centre of the Kitchen is a large central island with bar stools, fan oven and storage cupboards. To one side is a 4-oven Aga and separate induction hob, with extensive work surfaces to either side. (For a complete list of appliances see the Facilities list.) Front Porch The true entrance and front door of the mill is off the Kitchen. Here you will find a porch with hooks to hang coats and space for boots and shoes. The door opens onto the front patio and the mill course Snug This delightful room off the Kitchen provides a cosy retreat where guests can curl up with a book on one of the sofas or the armchair in front of the wood burner or watch the smart TV. The dresser in the Snug is full of books (novels, guides and cookery books), games and puzzles for guests to use during their stay. Study The handy family study is furnished with a desk and office chair, armchair, shelving and small TV and has a lovely view towards the adjoining open countryside. Sitting Room This beautiful room is furnished in the sumptuous style of a typical 19th-century drawing-room, with two three-seater sofas, an armchair and a coffee table set before a wood burner in a large stone fireplace. At the opposite end of the room is a second seating area with a small sofa and an antique games table overlooking the main rear patio. Each of the four windows has a large window seat with comfy cushions—great places to sit and read or watch nature at work. (This room does not have a TV.) Off the central hallway, you will find Bedroom 4 and the downstairs Family Bathroom Bedroom 4 As the only ground floor bedroom, this room has an idyllic view across the delightful knot garden out to the mill’s watercourse—almost at eye level. Furnished with a super-king size bed with an ornate bedhead, a small TV, dressing table, bedside tables and reading lamps, a comfy antique chair and a wardrobe with hanging space and shelves. Family Bathroom Situated between the ground floor landing area and Bedroom 4, the Family Bathroom has a full-size bath with a hand-held shower (for hair washing only), a W.C., washbasin, a chair and plenty of magazines! Upstairs Head up the carpeted staircase, with a bannister and handrail to three bedrooms. After the first ten stairs, the staircase divides to the right and left. Head right to Bedrooms 1, 2 and the Family Bathroom or head left to Bedroom 3. Bedroom 1 The ensuite master bedroom is a beautiful, super-spacious, dual aspect room (occupying the same floor area as the Kitchen below), with views out to the garden and fields and the mill course and boathouse. At the entrance to the room is a dressing area with a wardrobe, shelves and a dressing table with a mirror. Walk through to the bedroom where you will find a super-king size bed, bedside tables and reading lamps, two armchairs, a second dressing table and mirror and a small TV. This bedroom is big enough for two people to practice yoga in, should you wish to! Ensuite Bathroom Just inside the doorway to the bedroom is the ensuite bathroom, equipped with a full-size bath, walk-in shower, double sink in a vanity unit, a large mirror and two heated towel rails. Relax in the bath, which sits below the window, and watch the stars above you. Bedroom 2 This bright and sunny bedroom looks out over the mill course and is furnished with a king-size double bed, bedside tables and reading lamps, a dressing table with a mirror, an open wardrobe with hanging and shelves and an armchair—the perfect place to sit and gaze at the water rushing by. Family Bathroom This bathroom is shared with guests in Bedroom 2 and 3 and features a full-size bath (no shower), washbasin with mirror over, W.C. and wall-sized mirror. Bedroom 3 Head left up the split staircase to a small twin bedroom sitting in the eaves of the house with exposed beams. The bedroom is furnished with two single beds (pushed together, but can be separated), with bedside tables and reading lamps (not pictured). The bedroom has under-eave storage, a clothes rail and an armchair. This bright and airy room has two Velux windows, with fitted blinds, and would be suited to two younger or not so tall guests! Lower Floor Head down the stairs to the lower ground floor where you’ll find a large foyer, Bedroom 5 and 6 and the Utility Room, plus a door opening to stairs up to the side garden. Foyer With its stone flooring, two extra-large dog baskets and a handmade stairgate this is the perfect place to keep wet dogs comfortably, and safely, downstairs. Utility / Laundry Room The large Utility Room is home to a washing machine (8kg capacity), an overhead clothes dryer (Pully Maid), an iron and ironing board, a double sink, clothes hooks and a boot rack. The ideal place to dry out laundry or clothes and shoes after a wet walk. Head through a latched wooden door to the two downstairs bedrooms and Shower Room—perfect for family members wanting some personal space or families travelling with support staff. Bedroom 5 This bright and hidden-away room is furnished with king-size bed and bedside tables with reading lamps resting on a real wood floor and a large coir rug. A large built-in wardrobe houses hanging space, shelves and a 43” smart TV. Look up to the sky through two high windows (with blinds), which open out to the knot garden at the front of the mill. Bedroom 6 A cosy, dual-aspect double bedroom furnished with a king-size double bed, resting on a real wood floor and large coir rug, bedside tables and reading lamps and a towel rail. Windows look out to the adjacent fields and down the little lane leading to the neighbouring farm. Family Shower Room The lower floor shower room is equipped with a large, walk-in shower, with an overhead showerhead and hand-held shower, a washbasin with a large mirror, a W.C. and heated towel rail. Please note, this toilet runs on a Saniflow system - it is essential that guests do not flush any sanitary products down the toilet, it will block instantly. Outside The setting of Grindstone Mill is truly idyllic, providing an escape to what feels like a forgotten time. The Little Avon river runs up to and past the property, and in times gone by was diverted to form a lake and the mill course. More recently a pretty wooden bridge was built over the lake to provide a crossing for the local path to continue uninterrupted on its way to Alderley village. A delightful patio and knot garden, with aromatic plants and culinary herbs, sits between the house and the mill course with seating and tables for guests to eat outside or simply sit and relax while enjoying the beautiful surroundings. A charcoal Weber BBQ is also provided for guests’ use. The mill’s main front door opens from the kitchen to this front patio, making it easy to cater to guests dining outside. To the rear of the property, adjacent to the French windows leading to the open-plan Living-Dining area, is a large private patio with a table and seating. Leading off this patio, to the side of the house, is a small but idyllic garden laid to lawn and bordered by herbs and annuals. Descend a few stone steps from the rear patio to the gravelled parking area where 4-5 cars may be parked. Guest access Guests have full access to the whole house (except one room in the basement*). The boat house on the mill course is not available for guests to use. *The owners of Grindstone Mill run Caspian Caviar from an office at the rear of the property. Staff will be there from 9-4pm, Mon-Fri. Collection and delivery vehicles may appear from time-to-time but should not impact on your stay at all. You are welcome to order products while you are at the Mill for delivery during your stay. The neighbouring property, accessed along the same driveway, is a working farm with farm animals. The farm’s private driveway, beyond the parking area for Grindstone Mill, has strictly no walking access for Grindstone Mill’s guests. Other things to note Book with us to get exclusive discounts to top attractions and experiences. 2 well-behaved dogs are welcome for an additional fee of £45 per dog. This fee is not included in the rental price. Please advise us at the time of booking if you are bringing a dog/s and you will be sent a request for the additional fee. Unfortunately this property does not permit hen and stag parties, single sex party groups or all adult groups under the age of 25. This property is ideal for family groups. Please note that additional guests above the maximum capacity are not permitted. Grindstone Mill is not suitable for children under 10 year of age due to the deep and fast-flowing mill course, which is a drowning hazard. The AGA will be on at all times between 1st October – 31st March but will be off during the summer months to avoid the room becoming uncomfortably warm. There is also a conventional oven and induction hob in the kitchen. Swimming and boating are not permitted in the mill course or river. Grindstone Mill accepts a maximum of 2 Infants The boathouse, the greenhouse and the stables are not for guests’ use.