Property Spotlight: Southern Lake District

We’ve spent a fair amount of time – Justin especially – in the Southern Lake District. While growing up, Justin and his family stayed in Chapel Stile every summer. In the 1990s, he introduced me to the Langdale area; as well as Chapel Stile, we’ve holidayed in Elterwater and with friends in Windermere.

It’s always been a dream to live in the Lake District – a dream, because property prices in the National Park are steep. We did manage, however, to find a cute, compact, little one-bedder just outside Kendal town centre.

If Justin’s National Lottery numbers finally come up at the weekend, we’ll be phoning the estate agents responsible for the historic Thwaite and Thwaite Barn in Troutbeck first thing Monday morning!

£110,000 – Low Fellside, Kendal

• 1-bedroom charming cottage
• Fantastic central location
• Cash buyers only, due to size

£600,000 – Corner Cottage, Crook, Kendal, Cumbria LA8 8LA

• 3/4 bedroomed cottage
• Open plan living room/kitchen
• Quiet location
• Garden
• Views of the surrounding fields
• Close to a local pub
• Off road parking

Delightfully situated in the pretty village of Crook enjoying a rural location surrounded by open fields yet only a few miles away from the attractions of Bowness village, the amenities of Kendal and the main road network and the nearby growing market town of Staveley. This sunny location is made even more attractive by the charming country pub The Sun Inn serving excellent food only a few yards walk away and many local walks right on the doorstep.

£1.85 million – Thwaite and Thwaite Barn, Troutbeck, Windermere LA23 1PF

• Historic detached property in Troutbeck
• Spacious 3 bedroomed accommodation
• 3 reception rooms and 2 bathrooms
• Garden, orchard and detached barn
• Lovely views of the surrounding fells
• A short drive to Windermere or Ambleside

Having been in the family since 1956 this remarkable property was lovingly restored back to life in the 1980s retaining many original features and one of the most authentic 16th Century farmhouses in the Lake District. A Grade II listed building, 3 bedroomed, detached Lakeland home in a superb location with fantastic views, adjoining orchard and a large detached two-storey undeveloped barn.

Designer Desire: W Heaton Cooper

As mentioned in yesterday’s Price Points post, we’ve recently been holidaying in the glorious Lake District. One artist that immediately springs to mind when the Lake District is mentioned is W Heaton Cooper. So he’s our choice for this week’s Designer Desire feature. His paintings, predominantly in watercolour, capture the beauty and atmosphere of the landscape – the physical features, the subtle tones – and the ever-changing light.

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W Heaton Cooper (1903-1995) came from a family of artists – his father Alfred was very well regarded – and an obvious influence on his work. W Heaton Cooper’s style is more impressionistic – and we find it has more impact and drama. His son, Julian and granddaughter, Rebecca carry on the artistic tradition.

In 1937-8, W Heaton Cooper and his wife, Ophelia, built a home, studio and gallery in Grasmere; it is still owned & run by his family.

He has published a number of books containing his works including The Hills of Lakeland, The Tarns of Lakeland, Lakeland Portraits and his autobiography, Mountain Painter. All of which can be found on Amazon and Abe Books.

When we visit the Lakes, we often stay at a house owned by one of Justin’s relatives. It was built in the late 1960s/early 70s – and is relatively untouched from that time. It still has lots of teak fittings and the the original spiral staircase running from top to bottom through the three floors. We often imagine what we’d do with it décor wise if it was ours. It’s constructed of local slate, so has a Lakeland feel, but it’s not a ‘cutesy’ Lakeland cottage. We’d keep the original features and go mid-century modern in style with a comfortable, relaxed country rustic vibe. And, without doubt, we’d have a really huge W Heaton Cooper on one wall!

Original watercolours come up for sale at auction and reproduction prints can be found on eBay.

Additional image credits:

Babbington Fine Art | Pinterest

Tuesday Huesday: National Parks Week

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Loughrigg Tarn looking towards the Langdale Pikes, Lake District National Park, Cumbria

This week is National Parks Week so we thought we’d go with that theme for today’s Tuesday Huesday post.

One of our favourite places to visit in the UK is the Lake District National Park in Cumbria. It’s only about an hour and a half’s drive from where we live and the scenery is spectacular. We try to go at least 3 or 4 times a year – it’s lovely seeing the way the landscape changes throughout the different seasons.

This photo is of Loughrigg Tarn (Tarn is derived from an Old Norse word for lake). This lake is very accessible, there’s a car park and path suitable for push chairs and wheelchairs. The two rounded peaks in the background of the photo are known as the Langdale Pikes which, from experience, are a fair bit harder to ascend!

Lakeland Break

In last week’s Wednesday Wish post, we mentioned a recent trip we took to the Lake District.

We thought we’d just share a few snaps of our short stay – perhaps for any fellow Lake District lovers who haven’t been for a while (and are in need a quick ‘virtual visit’)… or maybe for anyone who’s always fancied going and needs just a little further tempting.

How about this for a view to wake up to?

For all you campers out there – this photo was taken at the Baysbrown Farm campsite in the Great Langdale valley.

The stunning, seasonal colours had started to emerge…

…and we had a couple of those glorious autumn days with morning mists giving way to bright sunshine.

Around every corner you find beauty – whether on a small or large scale.

We have some very nice walking country of our own here in Yorkshire where we live…

…however, Lakeland really takes some beating!

H is for Home Harbinger

Tag: Lake District