Full Description

The Watermill at Posara, a unique opportunity for lifestyle -- and income

(a) Lifestyle

Lovingly restored, the watermill complex stands beside the River Rosaro in the small village of Posara, a mile or so from the walled medieval town of Fivizzano. Set in a gentle wooded valley, with mountain peaks in the background, the mill is a peaceful spot, yet within easy reach of the sea and the tourist attractions of Tuscany. Around the courtyard, an elegant Tuscan house and some of the historic mill buildings, have been carefully converted into five spacious apartments, all with views of the gardens and the river. (There is planning permission for a sixth.) There are sun-filled terraces and, beside the courtyard, millstone tables under the vines for meals outdoors. The secluded gardens extend for about a quarter of a mile beside the river and along the millstream. There’s a bright and airy artists’ studio and characterful outbuildings, in which the 17th and 19th century millstones and machinery are still intact. Posara is a small friendly village, with ancient houses and narrow alleyways, surrounded by vineyards and fields of maize and sunflowers. Fivizzano, with its imposing defensive walls, designated a ‘noble town’ by the Grand Dukes of Tuscany, is the place to enjoy Italian life, with its cafes, shops and restaurants. Above the town, the scenery becomes spectacular, with beautiful views over the mountains, olive groves and chestnut forests. You can spend days exploring the area by car or on foot: there are miles of paths through the hills to be walked. But most of the watermill’s many guests spend much of their time simply relaxing at the mill, sunning themselves in the garden and enjoying convivial meals in the open air.

(b) Income

While the watermill is being offered as a private house, the current owners have run a successful holiday business there for many years. The five apartments are usually fully let during the season and there are also very successful painting course weeks at the watermill, with internationally renowned tutors. Many of the self-catering holidaymakers and painting holiday students return year after year. Most are British, but there is an international clientele as well. An extensive database, a website (www.watermill.net), as well as goodwill from guests, suppliers and agents, are also available with the sale of the property. The current owners live in a Scottish castle, also a successful holiday business, which is occupying much of their time, so they are not visiting Posara as often as they would wish. But the watermill would be ideal for those who would like to live in unspoilt Tuscany and make a good income as well. You can make your home in one of the five (or six) splendid apartments, while renting out the others for holiday lets and running painting and other courses. This really is ‘living the dream’: It is rare to find such an amazing package which combines a beautiful home with the means of earning a living.