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The Granary at French Mill: charming cottage set in extensive garden with stream

Cottage in Ventnor with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for The Granary at French Mill: charming cottage set in extensive garden with stream

entrance to cottage
The Granary from driveway
Granary from front
White table and chairs in a sunny spot at the side of the Granary
the bedroom

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View in a map
  • Place, Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary
  • Place, Shanklin Beach
  • Place, Ventnor Beach
  • Airport, Southampton (SOU)

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

2 Single Beds and 2 Child Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

The Granary at French Mill: charming cottage set in extensive garden with stream

A stone built converted coach house and granary serving the ancient watermill which operated on this site from Saxon times until the 1950s. The current buildings date from the 17th century. The present owners have converted the Granary into a charming open plan apartment with a separate bathroom (with shower). There is a well equipped kitchen/dining area and a bedroom area (which can be curtained off) with two single beds and two pull-out beds for occasional use. In addition we have stationed a charming vintage gypsy caravan on the lawn outside, which has two single beds and will be in use from April through to the end of September.
Set in a tranquil garden of 2.5 acres with a babbling stream, tree swing, trampoline, well kept lawns and outdoor furniture, the property lies on an intersection of well used footpaths and is just a few minutes' walk across the fields from the delightful Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary. Easy access to beautiful beaches such as Steephill Cove, Shanklin and Ventnor. One mile from the picturesque tourist village of Godshill with its many pubs, restaurants and cafes.
Perfect for children and pets who will love the sunny garden and cooling stream, the Granary is a relaxing place to spend time, not just a bed for the night.

Prospective guests need to be aware that, due to the age and siting of the Granary, in extended periods of rain and certain atmospheric conditions it can become a little damp, and while we provide a dehumidifier and fan heaters, if a member of your party suffers from allergies or asthma which might be affected by dampness, we would advise you to avoid the wetter times of year. We have taken measures to limit this as much as possible and any smell of damp usually disappears once people are living in the building. Please also be aware that due to the narrow pipes that service the Granary, the water pressure is always fairly low. We hope that you will regard these issues as minor considerations which are easily outweighed by the overall charm.

The garden is a haven for wildlife and we share it with badgers, foxes, rabbits, moles, mice, voles, frogs, toads and occasionally a red squirrel. We have buzzards nesting at the bottom of the garden and the stream is often visited by herons and ducks. The trees provide a home for a colony of jackdaws, woodpeckers, owls and a assortment of songbirds. Less welcome indoors but impossible to entirely keep out is the army of grass spiders plus many other insects. In this age of declining wildlife, we are pleased to provide a home for most of these creatures, although we prefer it when the badgers and moles do their digging in the more remote parts of the garden!

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Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
There's plenty for children to do
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings and birthday parties
Please enquire first
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Pets

Pets allowed: limit 2 total
Well-behaved pets are welcome
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Permitted outside only
No food or drink in the Romany wagon
Please make sure you are aware before booking that there is only one bedroom in the cottage with two single beds and two pull out beds for children.
If staying fewer that 3 nights please bring sheets, duvet covers (single) and pillow cases. To sleep in the caravan please bring sleeping bag.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings and birthday parties) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 30
Note from host: Please enquire first
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Ventnor

Located in Ventnor, this cottage is in a rural area. Pirates Cove - Shanklin and Cineworld Isle of Wight are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Robin Hill Country Park. Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary and Isle of Wight Owl and Falconry Centre are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Sandford, Isle of Wight, ENG

What's nearby

  • Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary - 11 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Isle of Wight Owl and Falconry Centre - 3 min drive - 3.4 km
  • Godshill Model Village - 5 min drive - 3.8 km
  • Shanklin Beach - 6 min drive - 5.0 km
  • Ventnor Beach - 7 min drive - 6.8 km

Getting around

  • Shanklin Station - 11 min drive
  • Southampton (SOU) - 97 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Barnhouse Bar & Restaurant - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪The Fighting Cocks - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪The Falcon - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪The Griffin - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪The Bear Café - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Granary at French Mill: charming cottage set in extensive garden with stream pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at The Granary at French Mill: charming cottage set in extensive garden with stream?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Granary at French Mill: charming cottage set in extensive garden with stream?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Granary at French Mill: charming cottage set in extensive garden with stream located?

Situated in a rural location, this cottage is within 2 miles (3 km) of Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, Godshill Model Village and Appuldurcombe House. Isle of Wight Owl and Falconry Centre and Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are also within 2 miles (3 km).

About the host

Hosted by Mrs Rebecca Phillipson

Host profile image
Guy and Rebecca Phillipson spend their time between Oxford (where Rebecca works during term time) and the island, where they spend most weekends as well as school holidays. Until a serious accident in 2021, Guy was a competitive cyclist, holding records for many stretches of road on the island. Although he can no longer cycle competitively, he still enjoys taking his bike out around the island's quiet roads. He can advise guests on cycle routes and hire facilities. Rebecca is a photographer and gardener, spending much of her time on the island tending to the extensive garden, including a large greenhouse (our silver wedding present to ourselves) and productive vegetable garden. She is an expert jam maker and will happily provide you with some of her homemade jams, made from produce grown in the garden. Rebecca has enjoyed furnishing the 1906 gypsy caravan and is slowly restoring the exterior.
Guy and Rebecca have two grown up daughters. When in residence, the owners stay in the main house, situated on the other side of the driveway from the Granary, which has its own garden area. The Granary is only offered for rental over the spring and summer. However we do consider out of season rentals. Please place an enquiry and we will be happy to discuss your requirements.

Why they chose this property

This property is ideal if you want a quiet retreat surrounded by nature (we have woodpeckers and buzzards nesting on our land). It is perfect for children, who can enjoy paddling in the stream or playing on the trampoline and tree swing, as well as the novelty of sleeping in a real gypsy caravan. It is perfect for walkers as it is situated on the intersection of several footpaths, leading to Freemantle gate, the Worsley monument and Godshill, or to Newchurch in the other direction. However, if you are hoping to visit all the island's attractions, it is convenient to have a car.

What makes this property unique

The grounds of French Mill are delightful in spring and summer. A paradise for adventurous children and big enough to exercise dogs. Our Romany wagon is a rare and unique piece of history. Built in Burton on Trent in 1906, it is of a type known as Burton Wagons, and would originally have been made for a showman travelling around county fairs. It is in extremely good condition, complete with all its interior carved wood and mirrors. We have chosen not to restore the cooking range as this could provide a fire hazard. Instead we use the space for an electric socket to power fairy lights and lamps around the interior. The main bed occupies the space across the end of the caravan and has three windows, while the lower bunk is an exotic cubby hole, also 6 feet in length, but without windows.
While the cottage is well equipped, it is certainly not a five star hotel. If you want high spec accommodation, the Granary may not be for you. Being an old building (with an old drainage system and old water pipes) it does have its drawbacks. However, if it is a big wild garden with lots of wildlife and home grown veg that you are after, please come and stay.

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