Historic Watermill Cottage between Dartmoor and Exmoor with 4 acres of parkland

About Alexander Gater

We are three generations of the Gater family who lived at Lapford Mill from 1425 to 1850. The property has passed through several occupiers and is now back in the hands of the Gater family, namely, Ann J Gater Snr, son Alexander and grandson Connor. Ann is now retired and enjoys working in the garden and planning improvements to the parkland. Alex (48) has spent his professional life working in media and IT, and continues to do so from home in the mill house whilst undertaking the restoration of the water mill and Connor is taking his GCSEs and helps his father with the mill at weekends. Lapford Mill is host to the local music festival Lapstock once a year in the summer and details can be found at the Lapstock website.

Alexander Gater purchased this Cottage in 2015

Why Alexander Gater chose Crediton

Lapford Mill is described by Natural England as a rare example of Devon's watermill heritage and is in very good condition, however the water is currently shut off from the mill whilst the watercourse undergoes maintenance. The mill building is available for guests to visit and Alex enjoys nothing more than showing this old gal to interested visitors, however the mill is not open to the general public. Being a watermill, the immediate area is interwoven with water courses, comprising a long mill leat and the Lapfod Yeo river, which is part of the Taw River system, boasting good fishing for trout and salmon. The private park behind the mill is bordered to the north by the mill leat and farmland, and to the south by the old Tarka line which runs a small, two-carriage train once an hour! Across the road from the mill is the private woodland and conservation area, which is bordered by the main river.

What makes this Cottage unique

The property is a detached part of Lapford Mill complex, a private courtyard surronded on three sides by the cottage, the mill house and the mill building. The mill is a rare treat and, though in restoration, a fascinating example of the period.