Upper Vatch Mill (Formerly Valley House)

Upper Vatch Mill

Upper Vatch Mill, formerly called Valley House, originated as two attached cottages dating from the 17th century and has since been converted into a single dwelling. The building is constructed of course squared limestone with stone detailing and a concrete tile roof.

The structure follows a double-depth rectangular plan of multiple phases, comprising two storeys, an attic, and a semi-basement, with a 21st-century conservatory added to the south.

The west-facing front elevation displays three bays across two storeys with an attic and semi-basement above. The roof features three full dormers and short gable chimney stacks. The first two bays are each set with three-light chamfered-mullion casements under continuous common stop hood moulds at both the first and second storeys. The second bay includes a partially sunken basement window. A straight joint in the stonework marks the division between the second and third bays. The third bay contains a single entrance door and three-light chamfered-mullion casements under individual common stop hood moulds at first and second-storey levels.

The north end elevation is double gabled with the left section stepped back. The right gable features a protruding stack with a single doorway and a single-light window above. The timber doorway lintel is carved with the date 1752. A visible roof scar indicates a former single-storey extension or porch above the doorway. The left gable has a central entrance with a four-centred arched doorway and modern plank door, flanked by single casement windows under common stop hood moulds and a three-light chamfered-mullion casement under a common stop hood mould at first-floor level. The return to the right gable has single three-light chamfered-mullion casements under common stop hood moulds at ground and first-floor levels, with a blocked-in doorway visible in the stonework at first-floor.

The east (rear) elevation is of two storeys with a flying staircase from the first-floor connecting to the raised east garden. A single-storey conservatory wall extension with ball finial extends to the south. At ground-floor level, there are three-light and two-light chamfered-mullion casement windows under a continuous common hood mould, with an off-centre single doorway. A straight joint is visible between ground and first-floor levels. The first-floor contains three-light and two-light chamfered-mullion casements and a single entrance door, all under individual common stop hood moulds. The conservatory extension displays a blind mirror-glazed two-light chamfered-mullion window under an individual common stop hood mould.

The south elevation is double gabled. The left gable has a protruding bread oven positioned to the right of the stack, with a two-light window under common stop hood mould at first-floor and a single-light window in plain surround at second storey. The right-hand gable features a projecting 21st-century conservatory flanked by screen walls with ball finials at ground-floor and a single-light window under common hood mould at first-floor level.

Interior

The main entrance to Upper Vatch Mill is located at the northern end of the rear-range and opens into an entrance hall with modern panelling, cupboards, and WC. Beyond lies a modern fitted kitchen; the northern wall of this space has been removed to provide access to the 21st-century glazed conservatory extension. The western wall retains painted stonework with visible blocked windows.

A single doorway with modern two-leaf glazed doors in the western wall of the entrance hall leads into the northern room of the front-range. This room spans two bays with two ceiling beams featuring ogee stops running east to west, resting on timber window lintels. An inserted staircase occupies the southern wall. The southernmost beam is supported by a substantial upright post and retains open mortice joints. The windows have projecting stone window seats with timber panelling. The northern wall contains a modern two-panelled glazed door and a fireplace raised on a stone plinth with a potentially re-used timber lintel showing ogee stops. A single doorway in the southern wall provides access to a smaller room at the southern end of the building, which is also accessible via a doorway from the western wall of the kitchen. This southern room includes a fireplace and bread oven with chamfered lintel and straight stops. It contains one timber beam with run-out stops, which are repeated on the window lintels. A blocked window to the east retains its timber lintel with graffiti inscribed with the letters AC, WH 1756, and V. All walls are plastered except the northern wall, which is roughly dressed stone.

The central staircase ascends to an open hallway at first-floor level, providing access to a northern room with one roughly chamfered beam running east to west. To the east of the hallway is a small bathroom and corridor offering access to the study within the rear-range and a staircase to the attic storey. To the south lies a large bedroom with a centrally located squared beam featuring run-out stops, supported by the window lintel and by a lintel over a recess to the west. A doorway in the western wall leads into a small modern bathroom.

The staircase to the attic opens into an open-plan space with two pegged interrupted tie beam trusses featuring staggered purlins with a later bolted collar. The northernmost truss has been reinforced with an iron stirrup and strap. A modern removable partition has been inserted close to the second truss. A full partition with an entrance door separates this space from a small bedroom to the south. This southern room contains one interrupted tie beam truss of simpler construction than those to the north and possibly earlier in date. An ensuite bathroom and small cupboard are located either side of the chimney stack recess.