Both outside and in, this stunning period property is a wonderful destination for families and friends with a games room, two reception rooms and fantastic outdoor spaces.
For anyone looking to spend a Lake District break in a spacious, elegant and welcoming home steeped in history and simply oozing character, then this property is sure to fit the bill. Nestled in a quiet corner of the Lake District between Cockermouth and Bassenthwaite Lake, this graceful 16th-century manor farmhouse sleeps up to six people in three distinctive bedrooms. It's a magical world of deep sandstone window seats, undulating floorboards, exposed beams, fireplaces and nooks for visitors to discover. It boasts stunning formal gardens as well as large lawns and its own private copse which will be a magical playground for little ones to explore. All this as well as glorious fell views, a huge indoor games room with table tennis table and so much historical detail to enjoy while also having the comforting feeling of a welcoming family home. The owners have made the most of this historical detail while gracing the property with comfortable furnishings, thoughtfully chosen modern artwork, ceramics and textiles.
Setmurthy is a picturesque settlement placed between Cockermouth and Keswick, two much loved Cumbrian towns with a world of opportunities to explore. Cockermouth, just over 2 miles away, is a delightful Georgian town boasting many independent shops, restaurants, pubs and cafes. It is also notable for being Wordsworth's birthplace, in fact you can still visit his childhood home in the town. Keswick is well known as the Lake District's adventure capital where you can indulge your wilder side with any number of the outdoor activities on offer, both on the fells and on the water. Alternatively if you are keen to see a different side will be welcomed by a bustling market town boasting its own art deco cinema, a vast choice of eateries and even its own beautifully situated Theatre by the Lake.
While there is a huge amount of interesting activities in the local towns, you might be just as happy exploring the immediate surroundings on foot or by pedal power. Mighty Skiddaw, England's fourth highest peak, is just a few miles away, while Sale Fell, a very rewarding smaller fell with views as far as southern Scotland, is nearer still. Cyclists are no less well served with a fantastic array of off-road opportunities for mountain bikers and some of the most iconic road cycling in the country on your doorstep. Or perhaps you'd rather just escape the bustle of the 21st century and be enveloped by the history and comfort of this magnificent building and its magical grounds.
You will arrive via a curved driveway to the parking area and enter the house from a stone terrace through the imposing wooden front door. The coat of arms above the door which has been repainted in the correct armorial colours should provide interest for history buffs.
From the stone-flagged hallway you first reach the two delightful reception rooms. The first has a charming window seat with a view to the fells nestled into the corner of the room, perfect for young bookworms to curl up in. Other guests might enjoy the comfortable sofa and armchairs surrounding a beautiful wood burner. A gorgeous peaceful room to read and enjoy a spot of quiet time or conversation. Across the hall lies the larger of the two reception rooms. As its focal point is a huge open fire set into a deep fireplace. Just glorious for curling up and watching the TV with Freeview or enjoying some music on the stereo while perusing the large selection of maps and books.
Moving to the back of the house you reach the cosy dining room, in here you really get a sense of the history of the house with its wooden ceiling beams, antique furniture and tiny window framing a lovely view set into a thick original wall. Returning to the 21st century as you head through to the lovely bright kitchen. This definitely has the feeling of a warm and welcoming family room with light units, a lovely breakfast table, two windows with beautiful garden and fell views. The kitchen has a huge handsome blue Aga, a large built-in fridge/freezer, dishwasher, microwave and all the kitchen equipment you'd look for in a traditional family kitchen. In the hallway leading to the back door there's plenty of space for coats, also here on the ground floor you'll find an extra WC and cloakroom. There is also a utility room which has a washing machine and drying facilities in the outhouse. It is a good place to leave muddy boots.
Moving up the wide corner staircase take a moment to pause and look at the view through the triple arched sandstone landing window and think about how many people have taken in this view over the last four hundred years or so! From the upper landing you reach the magnificent master bedroom suite. This is a romantic paradise of a room with a king-size four-poster bed, decorative fireplace, large wardrobe, two chests drawers, two elegant armchairs and two window seats overlooking the tiered formal gardens and grassy fell side across the way. Tucked away down two steps in the corner of the room is the door to your own sizeable en-suite bathroom. This feels like a secret hideaway where you can soak those well-used fell walking muscles while taking in the uninterrupted views of the fells from the bath (there is no shower in this room).
The first twin room is also off this landing, yet another beautiful room looking out on the formal gardens to the front with a large wardrobe and two chests of drawers. This room is really the one for the history buffs to enjoy as it not only has a staggering selection of Waverley Novels but also a veritable library of Cumberland and Westmorland antiquarian society periodicals with a wealth of local interest. The second twin room is a light airy space with built-in wardrobes, two chests of drawers, windows looking out to the courtyard to the side of the house and another picture window out to the fells.
The family bathroom is another lovely space with ornate tiles, electric shower over the bath, and like the en-suite in the master bedroom, an antique commode chair!
The grounds are no less diverse and interesting than the house with a choice of places to explore and benefit from the sunshine at all times of the day. The front of the house has a beautiful tiered formal garden with plentiful lavender, mature shrubs and beautifully manicured topiary revealing secret lawn areas through leafy archways. To the rear and sides of the house there are large lawn areas, a raised sandstone terrace with dining furniture with a low box hedge and a higher Portuguese laurel hedge surrounding it, and benefiting from glorious views of the Caldbeck fells. For families with children a gate to the rear leads through to an enclosed copse to explore. Sheer heaven for the little wood sprites in your party.
There's even bags of space under cover for rainy days as guests can make themselves comfy in the outbuilding's huge games room with its table tennis table and large indoor/outdoor beanbags. It's the perfect place for the younger members of the party to commandeer as their own as it has power points for their, all important, gaming and music equipment.
Both outside and in the property really is a wonderful destination for a family or friends to explore. Once discovered you'll want to return again and again whether to uncover more of its historical secrets, soak up its wonderful atmosphere or just relax outside with a glass of wine taking in the panoramic views.