For sale: Whinfell
Near Sawrey, AMBLESIDE, Cumbria, LA22 0LF

Whinfell is an impressive detached family house built around 1905 in local stone, under a Westmorland slate roof. It occupies a delightful and unique location with excellent views across well managed National Trust land - a part of the Beatrix Potter Hill Top farm estate that is focused around Nr Sawrey - and panoramas of the Sawrey villages, Claife Heights and the Lakeland fells.

The house provides spacious yet manageable and versatile accommodation which is light and airy, perfect for family living. There is scope for extending the property, subject to planning and building consents being obtained.

The house is set within grounds of just under two-thirds of an acre, mostly close cut grass, some seeded wild garden and a copse of trees protecting the views to Far Sawrey. In spring the gardens produce locally famous 'carpets' of daffodils, snowdrops, crocuses and bluebells. The front garden is circled by azalea and rhododendron and pink roses climb in many trees and on two faces of the house. The driveways provide ample additional parking and access to the double garage, the two outhouses and the potting shed.

Both the Sawrey villages are a short walk from the property. Far Sawrey has the very well kept St Peters Church and there is a small village store and a village hall. Both Near and Far Sawrey have attractive pubs with food and very good local beer for any occasion.

* Garden Entrance; Front Entrance Hall;
* Lounge; Sitting Room;
* Dining Room; Kitchen;
* Basement with two Cellars;
* Five good sized Bedrooms;
* Bathroom/W.C.
* Oil fired central heating;
* Stripped pine floors;
* Original sliding sash windows.

Whinfell sits on one of the higher points in the two villages and in one of the Lake District's most sought after locations. The house and gardens are surrounded by some of the most breathtaking scenery in the UK. The nearby Windermere Lake Ferry [local residents - unlimited trip contract less than £3 per week] gives 'scenic' access to shopping, theatre, cinema, leisure and cultural/tourist amenities in Bowness, Windermere and onto Kendal [20 minutes] At the north end of Lake Windermere, Ambleside [15 minutes drive] is the centre for many small retail shops and the renowned Zefferellis restaurants, cinema and jazz club.

Whinfell is a quiet, peaceful and private place and the gardens are protected from the road by mature mixed hedging. One step outside the door of 'Whinfell' and you are exploring the Lake District.

Throughout the house [other than Brathay slate in the front entrance and kitchen] the floors are the original stripped floor boards sealed with a durable surface. All the internal doors and door furniture are original and the interior is stylishly finished in flat white Farrow & Ball paint.

DIRECTIONS From Ambleside and Coniston to Hawkshead then in a southerly direction along the B5285 to Near Sawrey village. Pass the Tower Bank Arms on the right-hand side. 'Whinfell' is the next house on the left. From Windermere/Bowness via the ferry B5285 to Hawkshead, pass through Far Sawrey and continue to

Near Sawrey village sign. Whinfell is next house on the right-hand side. From Newby Bridge at the southern end of Lake Windermere, cross bridge at Swan Hotel and head towards Hawkshead. At foot of Esthwaite Water turn sharp right and proceed to Near Sawrey. Turn right as you enter the village to pass the Tower Bank Arms [as above].

'Whinfell' is marked on the Ordnance Survey map adjacent - off-centre of circle.

Google Map: 54.351406, -2.966094.

The Accommodation Briefly Comprises:
[all measurements are approximate]

GARDEN ENTRANCE HALL: Slate roofed canopy over the glazed small panel entrance door. Cloaks rail, as in four other rooms in the house, are the original and traditional style 'shaker' pegs on a backboard.

LOUNGE: 5.42m into bay x 3.96m (17'9" into bay x 13'0" ) A dual aspect room with a three sided bay window and a recessed fireplace built on a local riven Brathay slate hearth [with external ash box - Baxi style].

FRONT ENTRANCE HALL: Original Brathay Quarry slate floor with door to cellars from this space.

SITTING ROOM: 4.27m x 3.67m (14'0" x 12'0" ) Seven 'John Pawson' design floor to ceiling storage cupboards with fully adjustable shelving and concealed door openings. Worcester 85000 BTU oil fired central heating boiler in a similar cupboard also plumbed for washing machine and with drying space. Fireplace in this room with re-lined flue and log burning basket.

DINING ROOM: 3.95m x 3.68m (13'0" x 12'1" ) A garden view from this room with two 'Pawson' floor to ceiling storage cupboards and a display shelf in matching materials.

KITCHEN: 3.85m x 3.00m (12'8" x 9'10" ) A dual aspect room with five 'Pawson' floor to ceiling storage cupboards housing deep freeze, standard full height fridge/freezer, plus food, equipment and utensil storage. Italian Carrara white marble work surfaces. Original Brathay Quarry slate floor. Plumbing for dishwasher. Built-in Neff double oven, Neff microwave, hob and extractor hood.

BASEMENT

CELLAR NO.1: 3.94m x 2.27m (12'11" x 7'5" ) Centrally heated with sash window - currently used as an office and 'den'. Fitted shelving and track lighting.

CELLAR NO.2: 2.99m x 1.14m (9'10" x 3'9" ) Traditional larder with sash window - original shelves, hooks and wine racking.

FIRST FLOOR

Approached by a dog-leg staircase in pitch pine with half landing to window and bathroom access.

LANDING: Loft access.

BEDROOM NO.1: 4.61m x 3.36m (15'1" x 11'0" )

BEDROOM NO.2: 4.30m x 3.13m (14'1" x 10'3" ) Original cast iron fireplace.

BEDROOM NO.3: 3.58m x 2.86m (11'9" x 9'5" )

BEDROOM NO.4: 3.66m x 3.08m (12'0" x 10'1" ) Original cast iron fireplace.

BEDROOM NO.5: 3.06m x 2.43m (10'0" x 8'0" )

BATHROOM: 3.27m [max] x 1.67m (10'9" x 5'6" ) Panelled bath with pumped shower, pedestal hand basin, siphon w.c. Built-in airing cupboard with lagged hot water cylinder and immersion heater.

GARAGE: 5.54m x 5.50m (18'2" x 18'1" ) Detached double garage built by Dewhurst's of Hawkshead with full width track folding doors - eight part glazed. Under boarded roof and storage mezzanine. Power/light with circuit breakers.

TWO OUTBUILDINGS: Integrated with the garage:

COAL/LOG STORE: 2.72m x 1.85m (8'11" x 6'1" )

GARDEN STORE: 2.72m x 1.85m (8'11" x 6'1" ) For machines/garden furniture.

GREENHOUSE: Timber framed 8m x 2.5m

POTTING SHED: Views over Claife Heights enjoyed by previous owner - hence the WC carefully set in relation to the front door - currently used as an artists studio; an arty loo with a view.

OIL STORAGE: 1250 litre tank alongside garage.

GARDENS AND GROUNDS

The house is set in a large, elevated plot of just under two-thirds of an acre. A gated driveway provides additional parking. The delightful peaceful gardens feature lawns and an interesting array of specimen trees and fruit trees and an eating out area with spectacular views and an 'open fire'. A very special and substantial showing of spring flower varieties. Growing space for fruit and vegetables with established red and blackcurrants and local rhubarb.

TENURE

Freehold

SERVICES

Mains water and electricity. Septic tank drainage. Oil fired central heating.

COUNCIL TAX

Band "G ".

LOCAL AUTHORITY

South Lakeland District Council; Tel No: 01539 733333

VIEWING

Strictly by appointment only through our Kendal branch office.

ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE