Welcome to an Unspoilt Section of Old England Nestled in the Bosom of the Sussex Countryside.

The  Old Elizabethan Miller’s Barn was built around 1500 and is set in the grounds of Bolebroke Water Mill, a mile north from the village of Hartfield in the heart of 1066 country. Escape to a rural echo of a earlier age at the end of a winding Sussex lane. The Old Barn lies in the peaceful setting beside calm mill-pond bordered by woodland, mill streams and pasture. It is run by Daughter and Father, Wendy and David Cooper, who still live in the Water Mill.  The accommodation won awards for ‘Fairy Story Hotel of the Year – World Wide’ (Foreman Houghton Publications 2002), number one in the ‘World’s Most Romantic Hotels’ (Observer 2000), and was often featured on TV and in the Press. The accommodation has been listed as a 4 Star Facility by Visit Britain (2009) and as Premier Selected in leading guide books. It was featured in Which? (2003), The Good Hotel Guide (2003) and Michelin(1993).

This quiet, idyllic, unspoilt scene is the quintessential getaway from the modern, hectic pace of life and welcomes not only families and friends seeking a retreat, but also those of an artistic nature. The area and grounds are perfect for painters and artists seeking some wonderful locations to capture. The Mill was chosen by Christopher Hampton as the setting for his film, Carrington, a film about the Bloomsbury set, starring Emma Thompson and Jonathan Price (Released in 1995) and featured the beautifully natural grounds, as well as several interiors. Emma and Jonathan stayed in the Barn during the shooting of the film.

The area is steeped in history, the Water Mill being first recorded in William the Conquerer’s Domesday Book in 1086 AD. The Old Barn has been lovingly adapted to form a charming and unusual Self Catering accommodation of great rustic character. All the buildings are Grade II listed and in an area of ‘Outstanding Natural Beauty’, as classified by The Countryside Agency. If you enjoy old timber framed buildings with low ceilings, crooked doorways and sleeping in romantic 4 poster beds, we are sure you will enjoy this one. This being the characteristic nature of such ancient buildings means that the accessibility is unsuitable for people with disabilities and special mobility needs. The pond to the front of the Mill is very deep and has a muddy bottom, and there are deep drops by the water wheel and sluice gates. Therefore, although we welcome children of all ages; we recommend that children should always be accompanied by an adult when out exploring the grounds and surrounding area.

We welcome visitors from all over the world and believe that they will thoroughly enjoy their stay with us, and return home with a fond memory of old England tucked away in their souvenirs.