Up for auction: a corn mill conversion in Buttercrambe

Top of Paul Hopkinson’s property wish list was a home in the country and second was a refurbishment project.

He got both when he bought the Old Cornmill in the beautiful village of Buttercrambe on the edge of the Wolds, eight miles from York.

The mill was originally converted in the early 1980s but was in need of modernisation when Paul, a property consultant, bought it four years ago.

“I’d always wanted to live in the country by water and this property was in the perfect spot. It needed updating, which wasn’t a problem for me,” he says.

He has since modernised the house with a new heating system, new electrics, a reliable broadband service and a complete redecoration.

The grade two listed mill is in a secluded location with river views and a mill pond in the 1.1 acre grounds. It dates back to 1687

It is set over three floors and retains many of its original beams and brickwork. On the ground floor, it has a large kitchen, dining room and utility room. On the first floor, there are two en-suite bedrooms and a dressing room.

The top floor had a sitting room and a study/office area. The property has a custom -made cast iron spiral staircase, along with double oak front doors and internal wood work by renowned carpenter Peter “Rabbitman” Heap.

Outside, there is a driveway that will hold six vehicles and a double garage. The gardens include a mixture of lawn, patios, woodland and fruit trees. The mill race leads to a weir and a mill pond.

There is also a summerhouse that could be used as a home office or additional guest accommodation. The potting shed was recently converted from a stable and this could be reconverted to provide room for up to four horses.

There is potential to extend the property. A pre-application was filed with the local authority in 2013 regarding a two bedroom flat above the existing garage. This was well received and could be progressed subject to gaining the relevant planning approvals.

Paul is selling to relocate down south and says: “I have loved living here and I wouldn’t be selling if I wasn’t relocating to another part of the country.”

He chose to sell by auction in the hope of certainty and speed of sale and adds: “It’s a reasonable reserve price and if all goes well it should be sold by August. That’s the benefit of auction. You can get a quick result.”

*The Old Cornmill is for sale by public auction on Wednesday, July 27, at York racecourse at 6pm. For details contact Hunters, tel:  01904 756116, www.hunters.com/auctions