Home | Watermill Holidays - Luxury Holidays in Northamptonshire

About us

The mill has a long history and is connected intrinsically with the surrounding area, it’s a charming and historic former watermill, listed Grade II, and situated in a beautiful position on the banks of the River Nene. A well-known and interesting landmark which offers wonderfull views of the Nene in the lovely valley below the village of Great Doddington in Northamptonshire. Water from the mill stream still passes under the building through the mill race. Restored sympathetically, the mill retains much of it’s original charm with a modern luxurious twist. Mentioned in the Domesday Book (c1086), the ancient mill has ground flour from grain for over 1000 years. After the Norman conquest of 1066 it was given by William the Conqueror to his niece Judith, who was also related to the Marquis of Northampton. According to local legend, the mill became a brief hiding place for Thomas a Beckett, Archbishop of Canterbury, who was imprisoned at Northampton Castle awaiting trial before King Henry II in 1164. He succeeded in escaping its walls and eventually fled, making his way down river to be sheltered by the miller before fleeing to France. The mill stayed in the hands of the Marquis of Northampton as a working mill until 1919 when it was sold for the princely sum of £729 7s. 6d. Finally the mill was decommissioned after the Second World War when the Nene Commissioners took over the milling rights in exchange for the duties concerning maintenance of the river banks and levels which until then were the miller’s responsibilities, the mill machinery was removed and destroyed.

Reviews

This is a wonderful, peaceful spot

Lovely watching the Grey Wagtails performing their aerobatics as they
were catching the evening Mayflies on the wing. This is a wonderful,
peaceful spot and I’m looking forward to my return visit

Dave

Another lovely week at the Watermill

Another lovely week at the Watermill. Had plenty of fish, Dace, Roach
,Perch, but did not get the big Pike, only a small jack pike.

Mark and Adrian

Interesting places to visit

weather changeable, but we so enjoyed sitting watching the wildlfe
from the windows. Lovely meals at The Gren Man Lavendon and The Swan at
Olney. Interesting places to visit, Northampton #art Gallery and Museum,
and the Aviator museum and restaurant, very quirky.

The Brake family

Always hard to leave here

Always hard to leave here – photographicaly it has been incredible to
see the Barn Owl – a first for me. Also 2 Mink and a few Kingfishers.
Mesmerizing!

Tracey

Such a beautiful place

Had a wonderful time here with our Sister and Nephew. Great to see all the Herons, Swans and plenty of other wildlife. Our Nephew could have fished all day and all night! He was in his element. Plenty of villages to visit and lots of walking to do. You should be proud of what you have here. Until next time.

Jane and Reg

It’s beautiful here.

The birds, the water view from every window. Days out included Irchester Country Park, Salcey Forest, Stanwick Lakes, Pitsford and Sywell country parks. So much to do within a 20 minute drive. We consider this place our own “Swallows and Amazons.” As usual the welcome and hospitality from Anne & Andy was first rate. Will be back next year.

Rachel, Dave and family.

Just 5 nights and we can hardly drag ourselves away!

So used to the rhythm of the river and it’s residents. Couldn’t imagine kinder (or more informative) hosts. Hope to return some day – meanwhile back to reality.

Michel and family

Our fifth stay and just as lovely and welcoming.

Yay for the wi-fi.! This is the perfect base for visiting family and friends, our English home.

Alex (USA)

Eighth stay

Just as wonderful as always! Lovely weather, fantastic views and a huge array of wildlife. We cherish our home up here. We’ll see you next year.

Louise and family.

Just what we needed

A bolt hole to recharge our batteries!! Trev fished every day although the ‘big one’ did give him the slip. Dogs were settled and I loved the ‘home from home’ and not having to get up for work. We will be back.

Jane & Trevor

Just what we needed

Just what we needed! A quiet break in beautiful surroundings in a lovely property. We are the folks that got lost on the way back from the Pub! Can we come again?

Carol and Paul (Wolverhampton)

The best spot in Northamptonshire

This is the best spot in Northamptonshire to stay – beautiful. Thanks go to Anne & Andy for their help & friendliness. We’ve been happy here.

Anne & Michael Roberts (Port Noarlunga, South Australia)

Come and revel in Northamptonshire’s magical countryside that envelopes castles, stately homes and centuries of magnificent heritage. Enjoy a relaxing stay in this most stunning of English counties. Nestled amongst undulating landscapes are beautiful and unspoiled towns and villages with long histories going back to Saxon times and even earlier. With the ancient county town of Northampton at its heart, there is plenty here to interest the historian, walker, artist, photographer or nature lover. Our many traditional village pubs offer fine food and drink, while in town, the sheer variety of restaurant cuisines available is amazing. We have completely renovated “The Old Watermill” retaining it’s original charm and character but modernising the interior to an extremely high standard. We pride ourselves on providing luxury self-catering holiday accommodation in Northamptonshire.