'Like something out of a Constable painting’: A wisteria-clad waterside cottage on the market for the first time in 40 years
This Grade II listed house is on sale for the first time in more than 40 years. And if the buyer is game, there’s scope to renovate this ‘rare treasure’.


A Grade II listed former mill ‘in an idyllic setting reminiscent of a John Constable painting’ is on sale. And boy, is it a cracker.
Barford Mill is set in eight acres of glorious grounds, including a lake, stream, gardens and woodland.
This enchanting wisteria-clad property near Farnham is on the market for the first time in more than 40 years for £2,000,000 via Savills.
Barford Mill is thought to have been part of a trio of mills operating on the Barford stream. It was converted into a home after the mill stopped working ‘some time prior to the 1930s’.
The five-bedroom house retains much history and character: wood panelled doors and walls, parquet floors, exposed beams and open fireplaces.
But you can make your own mark here. Savills teases that there’s ‘an opportunity to modernise, with scope for further enlargement to create a fabulous home in a rarely available setting’.
The star of the show - as far as the house is concerned - is arguably the sitting room. Double aspect, it features exposed beams, wall panelling, carved wood and exposed brick surrounding an open fire.
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.
Directly above it, the main bedroom has a triple aspect, with a vaulted ceiling, exposed beams and a log burner tucked into an inglenook fireplace.
Still, living at Barford Mill will keep you fit. ‘The period nature of the property means that there is a secondary staircase and leading to rooms on various levels,’ says Savills.
The grounds are a ‘spectacular feature’ of the property, adds the agent, and it’s hard to disagree. There are stretches of lawn, a terrace, bridges that cross riverways, and interconnecting mill ponds.
There’s also a detached building that’s home to a garage, log store, and workshop. Handy.
‘Barford Mill is a rare treasure that truly must be seen to be fully appreciated. Its beautiful setting and incredible potential provide an extraordinary opportunity to create a stunning home in a unique and serene location,’ says Savills.
Barford Mill is on the market for £2,000,000 via Savills — see more details and pictures.
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
-
I wanna quiz like common people: Country Life Quiz of the Day, June 16, 2025
Important notes about names, Pulp, world records, and moon landings make up Monday's quiz
By Country Life Published
-
'One of the 10 most perfect houses in Britain' has come to the market at £9.5 million
Penny Churchill looks at the magical Maperton House.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
'One of the 10 most perfect houses in Britain' has come to the market at £9.5 million
Penny Churchill looks at the magical Maperton House.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
17 outstanding homes for sale across Britain, from under £250k to £6.5 million, as seen in Country Life
Something for every budget in this week's round up of homes across the country that have come to market via Country Life.
By Toby Keel Published
-
An utterly charming island home in Scotland with gardens so beautiful they made the cover of Country Life
An Cala on the Isle of Seil has a fascinating history that is only enhanced by its amazing setting.
By James Fisher Published
-
Soft tones and a sense of place: A Mayfair duplex that breaks the modern mould
A new designer-led residence at 60 Curzon in Mayfair reminds us that everything new doesn't necessarily have to look it.
By James Fisher Published
-
'The very best North Yorkshire has to offer': The £25 million Kirkham Estate
With 1,103 acres and on the market for the first time in a century, we've got a new frontrunner for the sale of the year.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
The reality of 20 years of house price rises in Britain, from the places that have had a charmed life to the spots where it's a struggle to move back home
At first glance the ups and downs of the property market seem to even out over time — but dig in to the numbers and you'll see wild regional variations which paint a very difference picture. Annabel Dixon analyses new research which tells the story.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
A historic Yorkshire hall, meticulously restored to its former 18th-century magnificence
Womersley Park is a masterpiece and one of Yorkshire's great historic houses. And it could be yours.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
Rowing past dreams: An idyllic riverside home with a boathouse, croquet pitch and Olympic pedigree
The Manor in Long Wittenham is a perfect Thames-side getaway. Comes with a free boat.
By James Fisher Published