6 bedroom detached house

 BECKBANK FARM  

Beckbank Farm is a large, beautifully restored farmhouse packed full of period features, character and history; with wonderful, exposed beams, internal stone door frames, mullioned windows and vaulted ceilings throughout. Beckbank truly has something for everyone, cosy sitting rooms, a basement wine cellar, a formal dining room with large sash and case windows, charming bedrooms with fell views, and at the heart of the home, a fabulous kitchen with oil fired AGA.  

The History 

Beckbank Farm has a long, interesting and unique history.  Beckbank was originally constructed as a fortified defensible ‘bastle’ house. Bastle houses (from French ‘bastille’) are unique to the English/Scottish borders and reflect the turbulent times of cross-border raids. Local research suggests that Beckbank is the most southerly ‘bastle’ house constructed in the Eden Valley; making it one of the earliest, having, in all likelihood, been constructed in the early 16th Century. 

 The original Bastle was first extended around 1674 to create a house for William Dalston, whose coat of arms is shown on the staircase window, 5th son of John Dalston of Acorn Bank, Temple Sowerby. It was again extended in the Georgian era, creating an L-shaped house with formal rooms and higher ceilings. The final extension, together with the creation of the walled gardens, was added in around 1858.

The interior of the property is in immaculate condition and has been completed with high quality fixtures and fittings. 

The ground floor is accessed from a gravelled courtyard which offers a perfect suntrap throughout the afternoon.  

The impressive Entrance Hall with vaulted ceiling still features the original 17th Century fireplace. It offers a flexible space and is currently used as a study. This room also leads to a separate heated Dog Kennel (plant room) and outside dog run.

The heart of the property is a welcoming farmhouse Kitchen that is part of the original Bastle with beamed ceiling and a flagged stone floor. There is a large oil-fired Aga, integrated oven, integrated fridge/freezer, a range of shaker style units with oak or granite work surfaces and an inset sink. A window at the end of the kitchen opens to the South elevation of the property with a beamed lintel and pretty window seat beneath. There is also a window looking onto the gravelled courtyard and access into the lounge, and into the Georgian wing. 
 
Next to the farmhouse kitchen is a cosy Lounge, reputed to be a former secret meeting room of the Knights Templar, with exposed ceiling beams and a woodburning stove. A short staircase leads down to the Wine Cellar, a wonderful feature of this historic house. 

The Georgian Wing of the house can be accessed both from the lounge and kitchen and offers a large Dining Room with wood burning stove; a cosy Snug with a Jotul woodburning stove, complete with a full set of wooden window shutters. 

At the end of the Georgian Wing is a beautiful and elegant Drawing Room which formed part of the 19th Century extension, with a door to the walled garden making this a wonderful entertaining space. A large and impressive marble fireplace with open fire provides a focal point and along with fabulous, fitted bookcases provides a sanctuary from everyday life  

Throughout the Georgian Wing, large sash and case windows with shutter, impressive fireplaces and beautiful and ornate coving are all a feature.  

Returning to the older part of the house to the rear of the Georgian Wing is a large Pantry (utility room) with downstairs WC, fitted cupboards with oak worksurfaces, space for a fridge freezer, washing machine and dryer and extensive storage.  

A 17th Century Main Staircase leads up to the first floor. Halfway up the stairs is an ornate window with an original centred stained-glass coat of arms, dating back to 1674, thought to be the oldest stained-glass window in a residential property in Cumbia.  

On the first floor of the Georgian Wing the Upper Hallway provides access to all six double bedrooms. 

To the right is the Principal Bedroom featuring original beams and vaulted ceiling which includes a large walk in wardrobe and also benefits from access to a second staircase with a separate WC located part way up it.  

Above the farmhouse kitchen in the Bastle there is a Bastle (second) bedroom and a well appointed main bathroom with separate shower located in the original house.  

To the left are charming Bedrooms Three, Four, and Five, each of which benefits from extensive and far-reaching views of the North Pennine Fells and surrounding countryside. The large, elegant and well-proportioned Bedroom Five has dual aspect windows which also overlook the north walled garden. 

Bedroom Six, together with a Jack & Jill Bathroom adjoining Bedroom Four, and a further beautifully appointed Shower Room with large walk-in shower complete the upstairs of this beautiful home 

Externally  

The property sits in stunning grounds of approximately 0.75 acres with two beautiful walled gardens, with a mix of lawn, shrubs and vegetable beds, perfect to sit and enjoy the views across the Eden Valley.  

To the front of the property is a shared gravel courtyard with a further gravelled parking area to the rear.  

Location 

Beckbank Farm sits a short distance from the popular villages of Great Salkeld and Langwathby at the foot of the Pennine Fells. Great Salkeld is a sought after village with church, pub and play park. Lazonby is 2 miles North West and has a primary school, shop, pub and railway station. It is a short drive away from the market town of Penrith which offers a wide range of local amenities including supermarkets, local retailers, primary and secondary school including QEGS Grammar school.

In terms of travel; from Penrith, London Euston can be reached in around 3 hours via the West Coast Mainline. There is easy access to the M6 motorway offering road links to Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle and Glasgow in under 2 hours with International and Domestic flights available from all 4 city’s airports.  This excellent location in the North Lakes offers an abundance of leisure and outdoor activities on the doorstep. 

INFORMATION 

Service: Mains electric and water; septic tank drainage shared with the adjacent barn; Oil fired central heating.  

Windows: mostly double glazing to wooden windows and external doors and conservation velux style roof windows. Wooden sash & case single glazed windows on the south facing Georgian frontage.  

Access: There is a right of access over the area shaded blue on the adjacent plan for access to the property. Full details can be discussed at viewings.

Local Authority: Westmorland and Furness 

Council Tax band: F 

EPC – Grade II Listed so not required.

Viewings: Strictly by appointment through the sole selling agents, Fine & Country North Cumbria[use Contact Agent Button] 

Offers: All offers for the property should be made to the sole selling agents, Fine & Country North Cumbria [use Contact Agent Button] 

Money Laundering: Prospective purchasers should be aware that in order to comply with current Money Laundering Regulations, before an offer can be accepted, proof of ID and proof of funds will be required to be provided to the agents.