About
Hole Mill
A restored 17th-century water mill in Branscombe, Devon — set in two private acres on the Jurassic Coast.
Hole Mill is a self-catering exclusive-use holiday cottage in Branscombe, Devon, EX12 3BX, in the United Kingdom. A restored 17th-century water mill, it sleeps 12+ guests across 5 ensuite bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. The property features a 3-metre-deep organic swimming pond with a wooden diving jetty, a wood-fired hot tub, two private acres of garden, meadow and stream, Starlink broadband (≈ 100 Mbps), and on-site parking for 8+ vehicles including an EV charger. It is located approximately 1 mile from Branscombe Beach and the South West Coast Path on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
At a glance
Quick facts
- Property type
- Self-catering, exclusive-use holiday cottage
- Building
- Restored 17th-century water mill
- Year built
- circa 1670 (approximately 350 years old)
- Address
- Hole Mill, Branscombe, Devon EX12 3BX, United Kingdom
- Coordinates
- 50.6876° N, 3.0843° W
- Sleeps
- 12+ guests
- Bedrooms
- 5 (all ensuite)
- Bathrooms
- 4
- Grounds
- 2 private acres of garden, meadow and stream
- Organic swimming pond
- Naturally filtered, chemical-free pond — 3 m deep at centre, ≈ 50 cm at perimeter, with a wooden diving jetty
- Wood-fired hot tub
- Cedar hot tub on the lawn, lit on request
- Internet
- Starlink satellite broadband (≈ 100 Mbps), suitable for video calls and streaming
- Parking
- 8+ on-site spaces, plus turning area
- EV charging
- On-site electric vehicle charger
- Pets
- Welcome (limit and rules apply)
- Smoking
- Strictly outdoors only
- Mobile signal
- Limited (Wi-Fi calling supported via Starlink)
- Distance to Branscombe Beach
- ≈ 1 mile / 1.6 km on foot
- Distance to South West Coast Path
- ≈ 1 mile / 1.6 km
- Distance to Sidmouth
- ≈ 7 miles / 11 km
- Distance to Lyme Regis
- ≈ 14 miles / 23 km
- Distance to Exeter
- ≈ 20 miles / 32 km
- Nearest railway station
- Honiton (≈ 9 miles / 14 km)
- Nearest international airport
- Exeter (EXT, ≈ 18 miles / 29 km)
- Check-in
- 16:00 (4:00 pm)
- Check-out
- 10:00 (10:00 am)
- Currency
- GBP (£ Pound Sterling)
History
Hole Mill is a working watermill of the type that once dotted the streams of East Devon. Records of milling on the site go back to the late 17th century, although the present building is believed to have replaced an earlier mill on the same leat. The mill ground corn for Branscombe and the surrounding farms until commercial milling moved away from small rural sites in the early 20th century, after which the property fell into use as a farmhouse and, eventually, a private residence.
The current owners restored Hole Mill over a four-year programme that combined repairs to the original flint stone walls and exposed Douglas fir beams with the introduction of modern insulation, heating, plumbing and a contemporary glass-roofed extension that bridges the original mill with a new wing. The grounds were re-shaped to add the organic swimming pond, the wood-fired hot tub and the wildflower meadow.
Location
Hole Mill is situated in a secluded inland valley in the parish of Branscombe, Devon, in south-west England. Branscombe is one of the longest villages in England, strung out along a wooded valley that descends from the Honiton ridge to the sea at Branscombe Mouth. The village is part of the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, which extends 96 miles from Exmouth in Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset.
The property is approximately 1 mile from Branscombe Beach by foot, and the same distance from the South West Coast Path — a 630-mile (1,014 km) National Trail that follows the entire south-west peninsula of England. The nearest seaside towns are Sidmouth (≈ 7 miles to the west), Seaton (≈ 5 miles to the east), Beer (≈ 4 miles to the east) and Lyme Regis (≈ 14 miles to the east). The cathedral city of Exeter, with its mainline rail and international airport connections, is approximately 20 miles to the west.
For more detailed area information, see our local area guide and editorial guides.
Features and amenities
- Organic swimming pond. A naturally filtered, chemical-free pond, 3 metres deep at the centre and approximately 50 cm at the perimeter. A wooden jetty extends into the water for diving and jumping. The pond is a wildlife haven of newts, dragonflies and waterlilies. More on the pond.
- Wood-fired hot tub. A cedar hot tub on the back lawn, lit on request. More on the hot tub.
- Five ensuite bedrooms. Five bedrooms across the original mill and the contemporary extension, plus four full bathrooms — including a master ensuite with a freestanding oval bath and rainfall shower.
- Kitchen. Installed in 2024 and purpose-built for larger groups: large central island with seating, induction hob, double oven, American-style fridge-freezer, dishwasher and a full set of equipment.
- Glass-roofed dining hall. A contemporary glass-roofed extension links the original mill to the modern wing. The dining table seats 12 comfortably, with views of the garden and stream.
- Living spaces. The main lounge is set within the original flint stone walls of the mill, with exposed Douglas fir beams and a working log fire. A separate games and TV room in the modern extension has a full-size table tennis table.
- Starlink broadband. High-speed satellite Wi-Fi at approximately 100 Mbps throughout the property, suitable for video calls and streaming. Mobile signal in the valley is limited; Wi-Fi calling is supported.
- EV charging. On-site electric vehicle charger (charges apply).
- Parking. Off-road parking for 8+ vehicles.
- Pets. Welcome — utility area only inside the house. Dogs are not permitted in the swimming pond.
Practical information
- Booking
- Direct via holemill.co.uk/availability. Minimum stay typically 3 nights off-peak, rising to 7 nights during school holidays, summer, Christmas and New Year. 25% deposit secures the booking; balance due 8 weeks before arrival.
- Cancellation
- Full terms on the terms and conditions page. Cancellations more than 8 weeks before arrival forfeit the deposit only; cancellations within 8 weeks are non-refundable.
- Linen and towels
- Included for all guests, plus pool and hot tub towels.
- Heating
- Full central heating throughout, plus a working log fire in the main living room.
- Accessibility
- Hole Mill is a 17th-century building with original beams, narrow staircases and uneven floors in places. It is not specifically adapted for guests with limited mobility or wheelchair users. Detailed access information is available on request.
- Events and weddings
- The property is licensed for exclusive-use private events of up to 50 guests during daytime and up to 30 guests for evening celebrations. See /events.
- Reviews
- Average rating 4.98 / 5 across 53 verified guest reviews on Airbnb and Google. Read more in the Hole Mill guestbook.
- Contact
- Web: holemill.co.uk · Instagram: @holemillbranscombe
Hole Mill is bookable directly.
25% deposit secures your booking. Linen, towels and pool / hot tub towels included.