DODDS MILL

A stunning and substantial detached Mill House set on the banks of the River Chess on a mature plot of about two acres with spectacular views across the valley in one of the area’s most sought after villages. Dodds Mill sits on an island and also owns half of the river (see site plan) and has fishing rights.

Originally called Chenies Mill, it was first mentioned as a corn mill in 1200. It later became used for fulling, where newly woven cloth was beaten and scoured with wooden hammers, stretched out to dry on tenterhooks and then combed.

In 1712 the mill was leased from the Duke of Bedford by the Dodd family who converted it to papermaking. In the 19th century it reverted to corn milling and milled by descendants of the current owners. It finally closed in 1933.

It is believed that John Dodd added a new wing to the old house in 1750, there is a date 1762 scribed on a brick in the ‘new wing’.

The current owners bought the mill in 1964 and set about the renovations, finishing the mill section and opening it into the house in 1968. The gable ends, part of the dining room kitchen etc were added in 1972-73, and the back door porch downstairs cloakroom and the bedroom of the dairy were built in 1982-83. The loft was converted into the granary flat with the dormers etc in 1997-98.

Dodds Mill surprisingly isn’t listed but there is a Grade II listing on the bridge closest to the house (jointly owned) and the folly in the garden. There is still a large water wheel in situ although the machinery would need to be repaired or replaced but there is potential to generate your own power.

The house offers spacious accommodation extending to just under 5,800 sq ft. The Granary and The Dairy have also both been separately let in the past but both could be fully integrated into the main house or alternatively would make a fantastic self contained annexe. There is also a large cellar.

Decoratively, the house is in need of a degree of updating and modernisation. The heating in Dodds Mill and The Dairy is provided by oil. The Dairy has its own oil boiler and The Granary has a calor gas boiler. There is mains electricity and water and private drainage.

The magnificent gardens are a key feature of this stunning home and there is also a heated swimming pool with surrounding terrace area with a pool house and a tennis court.