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The Granary at French Mill: charming cottage set in extensive garden with stream
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Reviews
9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4
Popular amenities
Explore the area

Sandford, Isle of Wight, ENG
- Place, Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary11 min walk
- Place, Isle of Wight Owl and Falconry Centre4 min drive
- Place, Godshill Model Village5 min drive
- Airport, Southampton (SOU)81 min drive
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!
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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A beautiful, cosy cottage in a peaceful setting with 15% off ferry
A beautiful, cosy cottage in a peaceful setting with 15% off ferry
- Kitchen
- Washing machine
- Dryer
- Parking available
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (6 reviews)
House Rules
Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
There's plenty for children to do
Events
Events allowed: family gatherings and birthday parties
Please enquire first
Pets
Pets allowed: limit 2 total
Well-behaved pets are welcome
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Permitted outside only
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. Appuldurcombe House and Shanklin Old Village are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary and Isle of Wight Owl and Falconry Centre. Amazon World Zoo Park and Garlic Farm are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

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 - 4 min drive - 3.4 km
- Appuldurcombe House - 4 min drive - 3.4 km
- Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - 4 min drive - 3.7 km
- Godshill Model Village - 5 min drive - 3.8 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- The Falcon - 4 min drive
- The Barnhouse Bar & Restaurant - 4 min drive
- The Fighting Cocks - 3 min drive
- Loaph - 3 min drive
- The Village Inn - 4 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
9.0
Wonderful
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window9.0/10
Cleanliness
8.0/10
Amenities
8.0/10
Property conditions & facilities
9.8/10
Check-in
9.8/10
Communication
9.8/10
Location
9.4/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
Verified
22 September 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Johanna G.
4 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Paradise!!

Johanna G.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Vivienne E.
16 August 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quirky stay
Vivienne E.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jacqueline A.
16 August 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Isle of Wight Stay
Jacqueline A.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Robin H.
1 June 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely family retreat!
Robin H.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
John H.
6 August 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Delighted Accommodation
John H.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jon B.
23 June 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely stay - incredible gardens
Jon B.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
John H.
7 August 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful
John H.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Linda L.
30 September 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing cottage
Linda L.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Verified
8/10 Good
Dev M.
29 August 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Good
Dev M.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
karen d.
18 June 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Long weekend break
karen d.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
David L.
22 April 2023
Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location and a wonderful property
David L.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023
Verified
8/10 Good
Sujita D.
11 July 2023
Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cathartic private dwelling
Sujita D.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Ruth A.
15 July 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely stay
Ruth A.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Joanne P.
30 April 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A delightful cottage in the most charming garden
Joanne P.
Stayed 46 nights in Mar 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Susan B.
15 May 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Good location and nice property
Susan B.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Isabel S.
23 July 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We loved it
Isabel S.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Suzanne H.
13 May 2018
Wonderful - loved the swing,
Suzanne H.
Stayed 11 nights in Apr 2018
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Maureen H.
9 September 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing
Maureen H.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Monika D.
8 September 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Enjoyable Summer Break
Monika D.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified
8/10 Good
Verified traveller
24 September 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Just 2 nights
Verified traveller
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Sujita D.
11 July 2022
Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Magical birthday getaway
Sujita D.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
Verified
8/10 Good
Harriet L.
24 April 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A very happy stay on the much loved Isle of Wight
Harriet L.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Gianetta R.
30 March 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Short Break
Gianetta R.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Verified
2/10 Terrible
mick h.
24 September 2024
Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, listing accuracy
Charming it is not
mick h.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024
About the host
Hosted by Mrs Rebecca Phillipson
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.
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.
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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