Beckfoot Mill, Duddon Bridge, Broughton-in-Furness, LA20 6EU

Dating from the 1700s, the mill was previously the saw mill for the Duddon Hall Estate and is now a wonderful family home where peace and seclusion abound. Just a few miles from the market town of Broughton in Furness, this welcoming home offers the best of both worlds; complete privacy and yet within easy reach of everything you could need.

Home:
* Home built in 1700s
* 3 bedrooms
* 2 bathrooms
* 4 reception rooms
* Freehold
* Lots of character with original features
* All windows are double glazed
* Large garage and outside storerooms (scope to develop)
* Surrounded by well stocked gardens and beside a gently flowing beck
* Private and secluded, yet local amenities only 5 miles away into Broughton Market Town

Services:
* Mains electricity
* Private water supply (shared with 3 others)
* Septic tank
* Oil-fired central heating

In a charming hamlet of four houses, Beckfoot Mill sits away from its neighbours in a secluded spot in the beautiful Duddon Valley.

Formerly the sawmill to Duddon Hall, it stopped being a part of the estate in the 1980s.

Pass over Duddon Bridge and take the road immediately on the right marked Fell Road. Go past the gates to Duddon Hall to a small lane marked by the footpath sign, Mill Brow. A little way down, in a woodland setting, lies Beckfoot with its old farm house, cottages and mill.

WATER MILL

Beckfoot Mill was a water mill and the sound of Logan Beck, the source of its power, is a reminder of why this spot was chosen.

It was converted into a house by the architect Peter Speakman whose work is characterised by clever planning and quality materials. It is double glazed throughout.

Since then, there have been further works including tapping into a bore hole for the property's water and improvements to the insulation. There is soon to be an upgrade to the waste water system.

The hall has the original wide floorboards and is big enough to dine in. Off to the left is where the waterwheel would have been. Now, there is the kitchen which was designed and made by one of England's leading kitchen companies, Martin Moore. The cabinets are of antique pine and the worktops are Carrara marble. A place to cook, sit and eat; there is an integrated Neff microwave, Neff double oven, dishwasher and hob.

A door from the kitchen leads to the dining room with its window overlooking the garden and beck.

The fireplace is made of Lakeland stone and houses a wood burning stove.

Back in the hall, cross over into the sun room. Filled with light from the French doors, there is a large window overlooking a secret part of the garden with a magnificent Fig tree.

The master suite is the last of the ground floor rooms. Comprising a large bedroom, bathroom and walk in wardrobe, it's set apart from the rest of the house and so has complete privacy.

The bedroom has window seats which face the garden. The gentle sound of the beck is the backdrop to a good night's sleep.

The feature staircase takes you to the principal reception room which was formerly the carpenters workshop. Bright and adaptable, it has a large stone fireplace which uses a gatepost from a neighbouring field as a lintel.

Whilst the fire is the focus during the winter months, at other times it is the view of the garden and fells.

On the far side of the staircase is a reading area.

Two more bedrooms are through a traditional boarded door. Bright and spacious, they each have handmade wardrobes and good views of the beck and beyond. A bathroom and separate WC are off the landing.

At the top of the house is a large area that is currently used as an office. The skylights look over the trees into the Duddon Valley.

OUTSIDE

The garden was created by the current owners and surrounds the mill on three sides.
It is a plantsman's garden with many unusual plants and trees. Cercidiphyllum Japonicum, known as the toffee apple tree, and Viburnum Plicatum, known as the wedding cake tree are here and together with others provide year round interest.

At the bottom of the stone steps, either take the path down to the water's edge or climb the bank to the Rhododendrons and Azaleas. Alternatively, head onto the lawn to see the remains of the saw that once sliced up trunks from the surrounding woods.

The stone pack horse bridge that can be seen through the trees has spanned the beck for hundreds of years. It is the walkers route to Ulpha.

The large double garage has a room to one side with a window. Currently used for storage, it has the potential for many other uses. The same can be said for the wood room next door which retains a wonderful original stone floor.

OUT & ABOUT

Although private and secluded, local amenities are close by, with the pretty market town of Broughton in Furness less than a ten minute drive away. The small town has a good selection of independent retailers covering all the essentials as well as a vets, doctors surgery and garage.

Ideal for walkers and lovers of the outdoors, there are lots of options straight from the door. A walk into the next door Lickle Valley usually ends up at the wonderful Blacksmiths Arms. The food is the best for miles around and there's always a lively atmosphere in the tap room. Closer, is the circular walk that takes in the ruined Frith Hall with its views of Ulpha. Another, is the one that takes you up Penn, the nearest hill of size, where from the top you can see Duddon Hall and the Duddon Estuary in the distance.

** For more photos and information, download the brochure on desktop. For your own hard copy brochure, or to book a viewing please call the team **

Tenure: Freehold