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£1.8m five-bedroom converted watermill for sale in Hythe

05:00, 03 May 2022

You could wake up every morning in the home that inspired great works of 20th century art.

This five-bedroom converted watermill in Hythe once housed the studio of Australian impressionist artist Arthur Baker-Clack.

This five-bedroom home in Hythe is a spectacular converted property with an incredible history. Picture: Savills
This five-bedroom home in Hythe is a spectacular converted property with an incredible history. Picture: Savills

The artist lived in Kent for the later part of his life and was Chairman of the Folkestone Art Society for their first exhibition in 1935. When he died in 1955, he left a portfolio of his art to the town of Hythe.

That’s not the only fascinating part of this unique property’s history.

Early documentation of the property can be found as far back as Thomas Hill’s 1685 hospital map.

This huge property is surrounded by gardens, water features and lawns. Picture: Savills
This huge property is surrounded by gardens, water features and lawns. Picture: Savills

From the 1850s, local miller George Burch owned the property and his eldest daughter, Emily, is said to have run a school out of the mill house’s living room. Another one of his children, Alice, helped run the mill until her death in 1932, when the mill ceased operation and was put up for auction.

Stuart Brown then bought the Watermill and looked after it for the next 50 years, during which time the Australian artist began using the Uppermill for his studio.

The final owners, up until now, were the Marston family, who purchased the property in 1982 and worked tirelessly to restore the mill to its former glory. In 1992, they managed to get the water wheel turning again after 60 years and, in 1993, the flour was milled once again.

This converted mill is just as eye-catching on the inside as it is on the outside. Picture: Savills
This converted mill is just as eye-catching on the inside as it is on the outside. Picture: Savills

This enchanting home is now on the market for £1.8m and includes the five-bedroom Mill House, the self-contained two-bedroom Uppermill and the beautiful original mill building.

The Mill House is the main living space and is a perfect hub for entertaining, with its formal dining room, cosy drawing room and family sitting room.

Dine surrounded by historical features in this unique home. Picture: Savills
Dine surrounded by historical features in this unique home. Picture: Savills
The cosy sitting room lets in plenty of natural light from the stunning grounds. Picture: Savills
The cosy sitting room lets in plenty of natural light from the stunning grounds. Picture: Savills

There is also a kitchen and breakfast room, fitted with Miele appliances and a stunning central island, and five bedrooms, including a master bedroom with its own dressing and en-suite shower room.

The kitchen and breakfast room has beautiful views of the garden. Picture: Savills
The kitchen and breakfast room has beautiful views of the garden. Picture: Savills
Each bedroom is decorated to a high standard and has plenty of character. Picture: Savills
Each bedroom is decorated to a high standard and has plenty of character. Picture: Savills
There are five bedrooms in the Mill House, and a further two for guests in the Uppermill. Picture: Savills
There are five bedrooms in the Mill House, and a further two for guests in the Uppermill. Picture: Savills

To the north of the main home is the Uppermill, which has been used as a holiday let since 1989. Originally part of the granary stores, this charming apartment features a kitchen, comfortable living room, two bedrooms and a mezzanine study area.

The Uppermill has two bedrooms, a living room and study space, and is used as a holiday let. Picture: Savills
The Uppermill has two bedrooms, a living room and study space, and is used as a holiday let. Picture: Savills

Those staying in the Uppermill can also step out onto the garden terrace and wander through to the upper gardens and mill pond - which is certainly not to be missed.

The gardens at this property, surrounding both the Mill House and Uppermill, are nothing short of a gardeners’ paradise.

The extraordinary gardens are breathtaking. Picture: Savills
The extraordinary gardens are breathtaking. Picture: Savills
On occasion, the gardens been opened up to the public for fund raising events. Picture: Savills
On occasion, the gardens been opened up to the public for fund raising events. Picture: Savills

The walled garden, just south of the house, includes evergreen trees and raised flowerbeds, while the vast lawn is the perfect place to sit back, relax and enjoy the sounds of the trickling stream and cascading waterfall.

There is also a winding path that leads up past the old millwheel and to the large pond and delightful upper lawns.

The mill pond is a perfect place for some peace and quiet. Picture: Savills
The mill pond is a perfect place for some peace and quiet. Picture: Savills

The final magnificent feature of this property is the mill building. While no longer operational, much of its Victorian machinery is still in place over the four floors, which are currently used as a workshop, garage and storage rooms.

The original mill has been used by the current owners as a workshop and storage space. Picture: Savills
The original mill has been used by the current owners as a workshop and storage space. Picture: Savills
While the mill is no longer in use, much of its original machinery can be seen inside. Picture: Savills
While the mill is no longer in use, much of its original machinery can be seen inside. Picture: Savills

With a rich history, spectacular interiors, breathtaking gardens and only a short walk to the picturesque canal and two-mile stretch of beach, this home doesn’t leave many boxes unticked.

If you want to find out more about this idyllic property, contact Savills

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