Bell Hill, Lydbrook

Mill Cottage

Enveloped by an ancient forest, this tranquil two-bedroom cottage exhibits enchanting woodland views and carries a quintessential country charm. The property - which boasts two reception rooms and a recently refurbished dining kitchen - has a glorious half-acre garden which serves as a serene, wondrously private rural haven.


Location
While Mill Cottage is set in an entirely peaceful spot, the heart of the village of Lydbrook is a short walk away and this presents a wealth of local amenities, including a primary school - rated 'Good' by Ofsted - plus three reputable pubs, a post office and a well-stocked convenience store, a health centre, a tearoom, an Indian takeaway and an award-winning fish and chip shop.
The village lies on the north-west edge of the Royal Forest of Dean. This area gives 24,000 acres of glorious countryside and ancient woodland, presenting an ideal landscape for outdoor activities such as walking and cycling.
The River Wye is a short stroll - approximately a mile away - and a picnic site at Lower Lydbrook in the heart of the Wye Valley AONB allows launching canoes or enjoying scenic riverside walks.



The Home at a Glance
The house name placard for Mill Cottage also quotes 'Magic to Tell' - a delightful anagram which sets a charming scene, particularly as the cottage and its grounds would not look out of place in a fairytale.
The semi-detached home is believed to date back to the 1700s and, as the name suggests, the oldest section of the home - the sitting room and master bedroom above - once served as a cider mill. A reclaimed cider millstone stands in the front garden, as a homage to its origin.
The main entrance leads into a beautifully bright dining kitchen; a wooden floor, a feature fireplace, an exposed stone wall and a timbered ceiling all exhibit the historic character of the property. Plenty of natural light cascades into the kitchen through a series of six skylights, and this zone of the room also features a Travertine tile floor, which differentiates between the eating and the dining areas.
The fully-fitted kitchen carries heritage green shaker units and Duropal quartz-effect countertops, and several AEG integrated appliances which include an induction hob with an overhead extractor fan, an electric steam and bake oven, a fridge/freezer and a dishwasher. There is also a full-height wine rack, and a 1 +1/2 sink.
From the kitchen, a stable door leads through into the sitting room, a space that continues to showcase the classically elegant features; there are grand exposed beams, painted stone walls and a log-burning stove - a staple of country life. A French door lets the light pour in and leads out to the manicured front garden.
On the opposite side of the home, there is another reception room which presently serves as a library. Wooden panelling adorns all four walls, and there is a beamed ceiling, a tiled floor and two recently refurbished double-glazed windows.
Beyond here, steps lead to a utility room, which includes an appealing piecrust sink, wooden worktops and provision for a washing machine. The utility room also gives access to a wet room, which has a WC with a vintage-style cistern and a walk-in rainfall shower.
The staircase in the reception hall leads to the first floor, which has several quirky elevation changes. The master bedroom has the wow factor, owing to a plethora of ornate details, namely a beamed vaulted ceiling, an exposed stone wall and a feature fireplace which is framed by decorative tiling. In one corner, a door leads to a balcony room, which offers a tranquil space to stargaze at night or bask in the far-reaching countryside view during the day.
The second bedroom bears an original elm floor, an old cast iron feature showing a former fireplace, and a built-in wardrobe. A second cupboard in this room houses the Worcester Bosch combi boiler.
The family bathroom is positioned between the two bedrooms. This contains a double-ended spa bath, a shower, a heated towel rail, a WC and a stone countertop vanity unit.



The Great Outdoors
The grounds of Mill Cottage extend to approximately 0.57 acres. The immaculate front garden is predominantly laid to lawn but bordered by a picket fence and punctuated by a flagstone path. The land gradually slopes downhill and has been terraced to create three tiers, which are brimming with a variety of well-established trees, but a grand magnolia tree takes centre stage.
A gravel path leads along to the 'Tiki Bar' - and from its wooden deck, there is a particularly striking view across the Wye Valley.
Across the path, the garden continues. At the dawn of spring, fragrant wild garlic and a mauve haze of bluebells carpet the ground.
Several outbuildings present storage for gardening tools and equipment plus logs for the wood burner. There is also a mixed orchard, and plenty of room around to cultivate fresh fruit and vegetables.
At the top of the plot, there stands an ornate iron pergola, which is wrapped in wisteria and presents an elevated view over the cottage itself.




General
Services
Mains gas central heating. Mains water, electricity and drainage. Telephone line and broadband. Positive input ventilation circulates in filtered fresh air.
Local Authority
Forest of Dean District Council. Tax band TBC.
Tenure
Freehold

Directions
From Ross-on-Wye, take the B4234 following the River Wye past Walford and Bishopswood. At the roundabout just after River Wye Lodge at Lower Lydbrook, take the first exit and journey up the hill for around half a mile. Park along the unrestricted roadside parking.
Just before the village shop, you will see the footpath leading up Bell Hill. Follow this path and Mill Cottage will be found.
What3Words: wishing.neatly.enacted

Distances
Ross-on-Wye 7 miles - Monmouth 9 miles - Gloucester 18 miles - Hereford 24 miles - Cheltenham 25 miles - Bristol 35 miles -
(All distances are approximate)

Agent's note: Please be aware that there is no road leading to Mill Cottage - the home is accessed via a footpath. There is unrestricted roadside parking on the B4234 through Lydbrook.