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Go with the flow

These days, when you mention riverside properties to people, they momentarily imagine an exquisite rural idyll before starting to worry about the potential flood risk. So when you hear that the Wollners' charming mill is not just situated by the water, but partially on top of it, you can't help but wonder whether this could prove problematic.

But, in fact, quite the reverse is true, and Leonora is quick to explain the property's symbiotic relationship with the river. Since the building was created in order to harness the power of running water, it has been designed not to compromise the flow, and there are measures in place to help cope with changing seasonal water levels. "In times of high water, we simply open the sluice gates in the house, and the 'shut' between the mill race and mill ponds," Leonora points out. "It's all about living in harmony with the landscape. And, with the river literally running through our hallway, this is something that we take very seriously!"

Similar thinking is behind the couple's choices when it came to the grounds. By maintaining a natural feel, not only does this little piece of countryside belie its semi-rural location, but it means the garden doesn't impact on the natural balance of flora and fauna - or the flow of the river itself. This minimum-intervention philosophy also extends to the fabric of the building. It was restored in the mid 1990s by a previous occupant, and the Wollners are careful to maintain it in a sympathetic manner. "We were lucky," says Leonora. "The serious structural restoration work on the mill and the mill house had been completed beautifully prior to our purchase, and the rooms had a lovely flow to them. All we had to do was inject some warmth into the largely white-painted space."

The structural solidity of the building was certainly an initial draw for the couple, although with Leonora's background in property, if more extensive works had been required, she would have been totally unfazed - the mill ticked all the boxes regarding location, character and size. "The space and light was just unrivalled and I knew that it was perfect for us," she recalls. "Both Mark and I previously had waterside homes, plus he's always had a penchant for properties with large spaces inside, while I dearly wanted to live in a timber residence with a rural feel to it; perhaps a barn conversion."

There has been a mill on this site since the Domesday Book was written, although the Grade II listed building that stands today was built in 1810. The mill house next door, also owned by the Wollners, was completed a decade earlier in 1800. This cottage was originally joined to a mill that had been built at the same time, although after just a few years, an extensive fire meant that a rebuild of the working section of the building was needed. This rich heritage informed the couple's choice of décor, although their existing collection of antiques and a desire to create a cosy, homely atmosphere also played its part in shaping each room's look. Although they knew that their yearning for an autumnal palette would probably win out, Leonora and Mark waited for a year before making any definite decisions about colour schemes. "I wanted to live in the house, and experience the changing light and seasons before choosing paint," smiles Leonora. "It really helps you to understand which shades will best enhance each room."

The beams within the mill leave you in no doubt as to the building's history, although with so many on show, they might have presented something of a decorating challenge. But rather than worry about matching shades of wood when selecting furniture, the Wollners chose a variety of beautiful timbers, which also toned in cosily with the warm natural shades of the walls and upholstered furnishings. The unique structure also had to be borne in mind when it came to arranging the furniture, since a number of the most unusual features - such as the impressive wheel in the kitchen - are mentioned on the listing, and are integral to the character of the building and its location.

It's not just the idiosyncratic nature of the space that has influenced the arrangement of the furniture - the fabulous views have also had a significant bearing. Thanks to the large and beautiful grounds, in which the mill is fairly centrally placed, every single window offers a tantalising glimpse of the outside world.

The window above the sink looks out across the river, there's a fantastic view of the garden and front mill pond from the dining room, while from the master bedroom, the calm surface of the water and the wildlife around the mill race can be spied. If you're fortunate enough to enjoy a soak in the tub, in front of the window, you will be able to take in a marvellous vista.

"We really are lucky," says Leonora. "The fact we're in the middle of these lovely grounds, not overlooked at all from any aspect, means that we can imagine we're in the countryside even though we're just a mile from the town centre. In fact, it's also the reason why we don't have any curtains - we just don't need them!"