Property spotlight: Alston

Cottongrass Cottage, Kates Lane, Alston

Like The Cairngorms, Alston in Cumbria was one of the places on our shortlist when we were considering moving from Todmorden.

UK map pinpointing Alston, CumbriaIt’s a small market town high in the hills on the eastern edge of the county and the middle of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). To look at it on a map, it seems very remote; however, it’s very accessible by road to Penrith, Carlisle and Newcastle.

What we like about the area is its rugged beauty and the fact that there’s an availability of sturdy, stone-built, detached residences with generous land – and affordable too!

£125K will get you a 2-bed, town centre pad with heaps of storage – perfect for converting into a studio or gym. If you have dreams of living the good life – raising a few chickens, goats or pygmy pigs, pottering on your veg plot and being self sufficient – You could snap up a farmhouse (with de rigueur AGA in the kitchen) that comes with outbuildings and almost 200 acres for less than a million.

Cottongrass Cottage, Kates Lane, Alston

Cottongrass Cottage, Kates Lane, Alston

£125,000 – Cottongrass Cottage, Kates Lane, Alston CA9 3QJ

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Entrance lobby
  • Lounge with wood burner
  • Kitchen
  • Bathroom
  • Two attached sheds
  • Central town location
  • Leasehold

Clarghyll House, Hexham Road, Alston

Clarghyll House, Hexham Road, Alston

Clarghyll House, Hexham Road, Alston

Clarghyll House, Hexham Road, Alston

£360,000 – Clarghyll House, Hexham Road, Alston CA9 3NF

  • 17th century, stone-built, detached former farmhouse
  • 3 bedrooms
  • Garage
  • Attached barn
  • Outbuildings
  • Stunning views

Far Galligill Farm, Nenthead, Alston

Far Galligill Farm, Nenthead, Alston

Far Galligill Farm, Nenthead, Alston

Far Galligill Farm, Nenthead, Alston

£950,000 – Far Galligill Farm, Nenthead, Alston CA9 3LW

  • Stone built farmhouse
  • 3 bedrooms
  • 2 bathrooms
  • Outbuilding
  • Approximately 197 acres
  • Private, rural position
  • Woodland, stream, pasture

Property Spotlight: Southern Lake District

Thwaite and Thwaite Barn, Troutbeck, Windermere

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!

Low Fellside, Kendal

Low Fellside, Kendal

£110,000 – Low Fellside, Kendal

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

Corner Cottage, Crook, Kendal

Corner Cottage, Crook, Kendal

£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.

Thwaite and Thwaite Barn, Troutbeck, Windermere

Thwaite and Thwaite Barn, Troutbeck, Windermere

£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

Mosaic of W Heaton Cooper paintings and books | H is for Home

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.

Portrait of W Heaton Cooper and his familycredit

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

Designer Desire: George Cook

Mosaic of George Cook pottery items for Ambleside Pottery

Earlier this week, we wrote about a piece of Ambleside pottery we bought. Today we’re going to show you a few more examples of work by its maker, George Cook. Cook was the founder and main designer-maker of Ambleside Pottery based in the southern Lake District, Cumbria. He ran the pottery from 1948 until he retired in 1968, when he sold the premises to Brian Jackson. Between 1959 & 1966, he trained Gordon Fox who currently owns & runs Kentmere Pottery.

George Cook pieces regularly come up for sale at auctions across the UK and occasionally appear on eBay. They’re very reasonably priced… for the time being!

The 1954 Rydal Women’s Institute programme reveals how the group held their April meeting at George Cook’s studio. A pottery demonstration formed part of the event. The studio was located in North Road, in an abandoned corn mill (see bottom photo taken in April 1886) by Stock Ghyll, Ambleside. The pottery remained in existence until the 1980s. At present, it operates as the Giggling Goose Café. Apparently, examples of the pottery can still be found on the roof above the kitchen window.

George Cook, founder of Ambleside Potterycredit

Stock Ghyll Mill, North Road, Amblesidecredit

Additional image credits: Worthpoint