Property: Three of the best Watermills

The Watermill, standing on a millrace of a tributary from the river Stour near Cambridge, still has parts of the original mill machinery, including cogs and millstone, in the dining room. All rooms in the Grade II-listed, four-bedroom house have views over the millpond or the village church. The mill house dates from the 18th century, but stands on the site of a much older building. It has exposed ceiling timbers, natural wood floors and, outside, an acre of garden including a small orchard. There is double river-bank frontage as well a double garage. pounds 259,000, through John D Wood (0171-493 4106).

The Shuttle House, in the Peak District National Park, stands on the edge of the millpond to the River Derwent, 10 miles from Sheffield. The Grade II-listed, three-bedroom, converted mill house has two stone-arched windows in the sitting room, overlooking the pond, and a wood-burning stove in the stone hearth. The front of the house is covered in wisteria, ivy and climbing roses. Planning permission has been granted to build a two-storey extension on the side. There is more than an acre of gardens, with lawns and an orchard. pounds 149,000, through Eadon Lockwood & Riddle (0114 276 1277).

The Mill House in Bran End, near Great Dunmow in Essex, is timber-framed and dates from the 18th century. The three-storey house in two-thirds of an acre has the Stebbing Brook, with two bridges over it, running through the grounds. The Grade II-listed house has five bedrooms and three reception rooms, as well as a study, a 16ft kitchen and a walk-in larder. pounds 235,000, through Mullucks Wells (01279 755400).