A derelict watermill transformed in a 12-year project to create a stunning home in the Surrey Hills
Penny Churchill takes a look at the spectacularly redesigned water mill near Guildford which showcases fantastic juxtaposition between historic industrial machinery and 21st century luxuries.

A challenge awaited the owner of Grade II-listed Wonersh Mill, near Shamley Green, in the Surrey Hills AONB. The magical sound of running water and the appeal of a derelict water mill, unseen and untouched for years, were the triggers that led Neal Futcher to embark on an extraordinary engineering project that took 12 years to complete at a cost of several times its original budget.
The property is now on the market via Savills' Country Department at a guide price of £8.5 million.
The property was a derelict green-oak structure built into a dam holding back a large mill pond adjoining the mill house next door, when, in 2005, Mr Futcher bought it and set out to convert it into his dream country home.
Having found a local surveyor who knew the previous owner, he was happy to hear that a budget of £900,000–£1.2 million would cover the cost of conversion. A local architect recommended an engineer who had worked on a number of marina developments on the south coast as someone capable of carrying out the work.
The first set of bad news came when the engineer proposed carrying out a geological survey on the site that would cost £300,000–£400,000 before any building work could begin. It was back to the drawing board and a search for a new architect, this time locally based Elspeth Beard, who had to redo all the drawings before submitting them to the planners.
They promptly rejected the plans because, in their view, you couldn’t put a basement underneath a house in green-belt territory. For Mr Futcher, a basement was essential to achieving the size and design of house he wished to build.
Finally, after four years of planning argument, Mr Futcher and his team went to appeal and won their case. Planning permission (since lapsed) was also secured to build a large barn to provide garaging or office space.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Seven years later, Wonersh Mill, now known simply as The Water Mill, represents a remarkable fusion of industrial history with 21st-century solutions. The 8,231sq ft house, which boasts five reception rooms, five bedrooms, six bathrooms and indoor and outdoor pools, stands in a little under eight acres of terraced gardens, with a mill race running along the edge of the grounds — the whole set against a sylvan backdrop of ancient trees.
The Water Mill is currently on the market via Savills at a guide price of £8.5 million — see more pictures, or enquire with the agent for further details.
Shamley Green: What you need to know
Location: Five miles south of Guildford in the Surrey Hills AONB. There is a train station in Guildford that runs services into London Waterloo.
Atmosphere: The ever-popular village (and the setting of Richard Branson's former family home) is pretty community with a cricket green, village store, several shops, a cafe/deli and two pubs.
Things to do: The surrounding countryside provides plenty of walking, riding and cycling trails whilst the town of Guildford offers a wider selection of shops, restaurants and leisure facilities.
Schools: Shamley Green Montessori Pre-School, Wonersh and Shamley Green C of E Primary School and Longacre school are all excellent local pre and primary school options. For secondary there's St Peter's Catholic School (rated 'outstanding' in their Ofsted review), Guildford County School (also rated 'outstanding') and Guildford High School.
See more property for sale in the area.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
-
Churchill's birthplace, Monet's London home and more in the Country Life Quiz of the Day
Try your luck at Monday's quiz of the day.
By Toby Keel Published
-
How the railways will save the countryside, with Gareth Dennis
The engineer and policy expert Gareth Dennis joins the Country Life Podcast.
By Toby Keel Last updated
-
Become a part of Bath's rich history in this Grade 1-listed Georgian townhouse
With 5,500sq ft set over six floors in the centre of Britain's most architecturally rich city, there is much to love here.
By James Fisher Published
-
17 delightful homes for sale, as seen in Country Life
Our round-up of some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life this week includes a wonderful Cotswolds home and a happily affordable cottage in the West Country.
By Toby Keel Published
-
'This is the most money you'll spend on anything ever': The things that really matter when buying your first home in London
It’s easy to dream of what the ideal first-home in London might be, but when the cost of living in the capital is this expensive, being near a Gail's isn't as important as you think it is.
By James Fisher Published
-
Get lost in the whispers of a running stream at a one-bedroom Cornish cottage
Formerly the studio and retreat of renowned artist Lamorna Birch, this small home near Lamorna Cove is a delight in every single way.
By James Fisher Published
-
How the high street can change for the better
The high street might not be dying, but it's definitely changing and in some places, it's changing for the better. So, what can the centre of town in the 21st century look like?
By Lucy Denton Published
-
A 17th century country house estate for sale in Yorkshire that's not too big and not too small
Take a look inside one of the finest private houses in the north of England that's perfectly manageable as a family house.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
Two-thirds of us buy a house and immediately set about refurbishing it
We spend more buying our houses than on anything else in our lives — yet the first thing we do on moving in is set about changing the place. Annabel Dixon takes a look at what we do and why.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
Dawn Chorus: Audrey Hepburn’s Swiss villa hits the market for £17 million and research reveals that looking at art can, quite literally, help you live longer
Everything you need to know today: The Swiss home that Audrey Hepburn lived in for 30 years prior to her death is for sale, those who regularly engage with art have a 31% lower risk of dying early and an iconic Palm Beach hotel teams up with interior designer Ashley Hicks.
By Rosie Paterson Published