Historic Mill Shop and Café in Northumberland on the market
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has been instructed to sell Otterburn Mill Shop and Café on the edge of the Northumberland National Park.
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Otterburn Mill dates back to the 18th century and the building is partially Grade II listed. The mill business was founded in 1821 by William Waddell and evolved from a cottage industry to become a textile powerhouse, producing tweeds and pram rugs enjoyed by royalty and luxury fashion houses, including a bespoke rug for Queen Elizabeth’s pram and tweed for designers Dior and Schiaparelli.
The property carries a legacy of over 250 years of craftsmanship, and today the former mill is home to a retail outlet, café and museum. Located just off the A696 road through Northumberland to Scotland, Otterburn Mill is a popular stop-off for tourists, with the café overlooking the picturesque surrounding hills and seating up to 100 customers.
The sale of the mill presents a rare opportunity to buy a unique Northumbrian building, known for its unusual horizontal layout. The property comes with 14.1 acres of land and is currently vacant as the owners have retired, creating an opportunity for a new owner to either reopen the retail areas and café, or develop the site for alternative uses, subject to planning permission, such as residential accommodation, holiday lodges, a garden centre, or farm shop.
Due to unforeseen closure of the business in May 2025, the property is now vacant. Current owner, Euan Pringle, commented, “Over the past 30 years, it’s been such a pleasure sharing the textile history of the borderlands, a tradition my family has been part of for over a century. Now, it's time for me to step back and hand over this historical site to the next generation.”
Andrew Birnie, Director – Retail at Christie & Co, added, “This truly is a rare chance for someone to own a piece of North Northumbrian history. I think someone with creative flair could bring this excellent property and location back to life. Various businesses or equine use, operations requiring level land, not to mention the famous dark skies and beautiful surroundings. I believe this will attract a lot of interest.”
The property is on the market with a freehold asking price of £720,000.
For more information about this property, click here: Historic vacant retail/café former mill | Christie & Co
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For further information on this press release, contact:
Lydia Stewart, Junior Corporate Communications Executive
E: lydia.stewart@christie.com P: +44 77121 98994
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