Mill Lane, Cressing, Essex, CM77

** CONTRACTS HAVE NOW EXCHANGED** A remarkable, award winning converted water mill offering almost 6,500 sq ft over five floors, including six bedrooms and six receptions all of which benefit from lovely views of the setting. Extensive river frontage with fishing rights with further ancient woodland and wild marshland combining to offer almost 5 acres (stls) of varied grounds, rife with an abundance of wildlife. Cottage garden and river fronted terrace protected by the former detached coach house to the front. Parking. Walking distance to Cressing mainline station. EPC Exempt. DESCRIPTION Bulford Mill is situated at the bottom of an idyllic country lane and is listed as being of Architectural or Historical Interest Grade II. Constructed of red brick on a part-timber frame and is part-weather boarded under a slate roof, the water mill is believed to date from the early 19th century and provides accommodation on four floors with cellars below. The Mill has been the subject of an extensive and sympathetic restoration and conversion project by both the present and previous owners, achieving Environmental Heritage Awards in 1993 and 1995. Each of the five storeys are unique in design and configuration, with original mill features subdividing large open-plan areas into smaller, more intimate spaces. On the lower ground floor are storage areas and on the upper ground and first floors the reception rooms, kitchen and study. Each of these levels offer a wonderful museum of the previous working mill features and engineering. The second floor provides the charming bedroom accommodation, the design of which follows the layout as it was in the 1820s when it was used as a bin floor, so called because the floor was divided by timber panelled walls into huge bins where grain and corn were stored until needed. On the third floor is a beautiful loft style music/sitting room with stunning views across the rolling Essex countryside, water meadows and wildlife-rich marshes and river channels, that have remained unchanged for centuries. Accommodation Lower ground floor Accessed via a trap door with a wooden staircase from the upper ground floor or from the lane on the ground floor level. This area is presently used for storage and is divided into various rooms including the turbine room, boiler and pump room. Upper ground floor Timber steps from the courtyard area rise to the upper ground floor and reception hall leading into the reception area, providing a generous open-plan living space with original features including three large mill stones, oak-standing posts, tuns and a timber feed chute sub-dividing this area into smaller, cosier spaces. A seating area surrounds the wood burner and there are whitewashed brickwork walls, wide elm floorboards and plasterwork with an original mill ladder in place. To one side is the former miller's office, enjoying a Victorian high desk and whitewashed walls. First floor The main staircase continues from the reception hall to the first floor with an informal reception/family area, again predominantly open plan with mill machinery, including a 6ft diameter free-standing wheel with iron spokes and two lay shafts set into the ceiling with matching smaller wheels. To one side is a sitting area off which is a cloakroom and adjacent is the kitchen/breakfast room with a range of floor and wall cupboards incorporating a Rangemaster, spotlights set into the bottom of the protruding bin hoppers and original beams straddle the kitchen area. It is important to note that the current kitchen could be reconfigured to provide a more open space, maximising the views of the river to the rear, subject to listed building consent, if required. From the open reception area a door leads to the study with a range of book and CD shelving along two walls with a raised window seat overlooking the river. Second floor The main staircase continues to the second floor and inner landing which offers beautiful exposed vertical beams with hand-finished plaster inserts and extensive cladding secured by hand-made nails. All the bedrooms on this floor were well considered and sympathetically created from the original bin stores, boasting exposed beams and 'Victorian' radiators, the majority also having vaulted ceilings. There is one bedroom with an en suite shower room, five further bedrooms (one presently used as a study), and an additional family shower room. Third floor From the landing the staircase continues to the music/sitting room, a beautiful, spacious and practical room with views over the surrounding countryside, providing an additional sitting room and entertaining area. Bespoke oak shelving fits between the ceiling and wall beams and to one side of the room the lucum is in working order (fire escape), this was originally used to hoist grain inside of the building. Outside The Mill is approached through wrought-iron gates over a shingle drive which provides parking, giving access to the "cottage" garden and river terrace to the rear with two seated sitting areas overlooking the mill race. The river stretches to the west, flanked by nearly five acres of marsh and woodland, an ancient site, rich in wildlife. A natural marshy space between The Mill channel and the old river behind The Mill is home to a fine crop of cricket bat willows alongside Alders, Oaks and Blackthorn. Wildflowers cover the floor of this enchanting woodland area, creating a wonderful habitat for the abundance of wildlife on offer. LOCATION Cressing Station 0.25 miles (London Liverpool Street via Witham 56 minutes), Braintree 4 miles (access A120), Witham 5.8 miles (access A12 at Witham), Coggeshall 7 miles, Chelmsford 12 miles. Bulford Mill is situated on the River Brain in the attractive Brain Valley between the villages of Cressing and Black Notley, to the south of Braintree. Braintree provides local shopping, recreational and educational facilities including the Freeport Shopping Centre including M&S. More extensive facilities can be found in the nearby towns of Witham and Chelmsford. For the commuter, Cressing Station lies within walking distance, connecting to the main line to London Liverpool Street at Witham. There is also access onto the A12 at Witham.