The Leat at Wynyard Mill

The Leat is a peaceful riverside hideaway within walking distance of the charming and historic market town of Malmesbury, which dates back to the Iron Age. History lovers will enjoy visiting the hometown of King Athelstan, first king of all England (924-927), and the 12th Century abbey as well as England’s oldest hotel – Abbey House Gardens.

In the 19th century Wynyard Mill on the edge of the popular Cotswold town of Malmesbury, The Leat is a unique waterside retreat for up to four guests, boasting enviable views across the rooftops of England’s oldest borough. Split over three floors, The Leat offers simple, elegant living for those in search of some R&R, benefitting from the rare bonus of a town centre location without the hustle and bustle. Cosy in size but well-equipped for up to four guests, the cottage homes two generous bedrooms on its two lower floors, alongside a handy en-suite shower room in its master and an additional family bathroom.

The top floor is where the property really comes to life thanks to its bright, spacious open-plan layout, where a small but perfectly formed kitchen leads into an attractive living area, flooded with natural light thanks to a series of skylights in the eaves.

The real gem of the property is the small balcony leading from the living area; a private al fresco nook is complete with outdoor bistro set, where you can happily while away the hours soaking up the sunshine with a cup of coffee, relax with a good book or simply sit and enjoy the views to the gentle soundtrack of the River Avon flowing beneath.

Ground Floor

Entrance Hall:
Guests enter The Leat through a hallway at the street level where there is room to hang coats.

Head up a short flight of steps to:

Bedroom One:
The first room you come to as you ascend the staircase when entering the cottage is the master bedroom; a snug double perfect for couples, with a 6ft zip and link bed that can be made into twin beds should you need. Making good use of the cottage’s staggered layout, an attractive country-cream décor is brought to life by contemporary pops of blue alongside artwork of Malmesbury through the ages, evoking a sense of the cottage’s rich history as the town’s historic watermill. A small en-suite shower room with a hand basin and toilet offers guests a good amount of privacy, plus there’s a full-height wardrobe for convenient storage.

Following on up the staircase from Bedroom One to:

First Floor

Bedroom Two:
The cottage’s second bedroom is a spacious twin room that can be converted to a 6ft bed should you prefer. Bursting with light thanks to a bright bay window that overlooks the river below, here the cottage’s heritage shines through the exposed ceiling beams, with vibrant red fabrics giving an elegant pop of colour to the classic country colour palette. There is a spacious double wardrobe and handy additional chest of drawers, plus a large bay window; the perfect spot to watch the river as it flows beneath.

Head up the stairs to The Leat’s main living space:

Second Floor

The Kitchen/Dining/Living Area:
Found up the winding staircase on the cottage’s top floor is the open-plan living, kitchen, and dining area; a light, bright space with views from every angle, offering a cosy spot to whip up a feast and put your feet up after a busy day exploring the winding honey-stoned streets of Malmesbury.

A compact but well-equipped kitchen area greets you as you enter the space, with wooden worktops, slate flooring, and country-cream units complementing the cottage’s heritage expertly. Perfectly kitted out with all you’ll need for a self-catered stay, there’s an electric hob/oven, microwave, small extendable dining table, and plenty of cookware and crockery to make use of, plus a washing machine and freezer tucked out of sight in a small utility room at the top of the stairs.

Leading on from the kitchen is the spacious living area, brightly lit by skylights and windows from every angle which floods the space with natural light. Attractive leather seating gives the living space a cool, contemporary feel, whilst exposed beams and country cream hues evoke a feeling of countrified elegance. Here, you can sit back and relax together (views into the kitchen mean that the cook of the group never has to feel isolated from the rest), or unwind in front of the TV, with plenty of DVDs to choose from.

A set of small French doors at the far end of the room open up onto a pretty balcony area complete with an outdoor dining set; the perfect place to enjoy the views of the river below, tuck into an alfresco feast or watch a traditional game of bowls, courtesy of Malmesbury Bowls Club next door.

Family Bathroom:
An attractive white-tiled family bathroom, at the end of the stairs of the living area, features a bath and full-height shower, toilet, and basin, flooded with light thanks to a bright Velux window.

Outside

The Leat is the ideal middle-ground for those looking for a peaceful escape with the town on the doorstep, with everything you could need within walking distance. Forming the upper floors of the old Wynyard Mill, the River Avon lies at the very heart of the property (flowing directly underneath), framing the property’s frontage with beautiful riverside views. Although the cottage doesn’t have a garden, the upper floor’s balcony offers a welcome outdoor space where you can relax and enjoy the fantastic sights and sounds of the river flowing beneath.

Malmesbury’s town centre is just a (very) short stroll over a traditional stone bridge from the cottage’s front door, as are numerous walks along public footpaths through the countryside that surrounds the town’s outer boundaries. A real benefit in this busy market town are the two parking spaces that come with the property, found on the driveway at the end of the Mill building.