One of my favourite facts about England is that it is quite small. Not in a ‘little England’ kind of way, but in a ‘actually look at it on a map’ kind of way. England is smaller than the state of New York. You can drive from Southampton to Newcastle in about 6 hours.
Yet, when it comes to property, anything north of Manchester might as well be on the moon. Which is why you get beautiful five-bedroom properties such as Rosley House in Cumbria for less than what you would pay for a three-bedroom (if you’re lucky) flat in London. It, and its 1.5 acres of gardens, paddock and orchards, is for sale with Fine and Country for £875,000.
Advertised as a ‘modest’ country house, the property was built in a Georgian style in the late 19th century by the Rooke family, who made lots of money in cotton. On the boundary of the Lake District National Park, it enjoys an enviable location in the village of Rosley; a best of both worlds opportunity.
The property is approached via landscaped front gardens, where an entrance with a portico leads to a hallway. Inside, the property is positively stuffed with period features, be they ornate coving, original doors, fireplaces and window shutters, as well as ceiling roses. Rosley House has been sensitively restored and maintained by its current owners.
Set over two floors, the property offers more than 4,600sq ft of living space, for less than £1 million. The ground floor is for entertaining, with a large kitchen complemented by a sitting room, garden room, dining room, wine room and drawing room.
There is also a larder, workshop and garage attached to the property. Upstairs are five bedrooms, with the principal suite having its own bathroom and dressing room.
Outside, the gardens and grounds are split into the formal gardens that surround the house, the third-of-an-acre orchard known as The Spinney which produces many fruit trees, and the paddock.
Eastern promises: The best places to live east of London, from Diss and Dedham to Newmarket and Newport
Liz Rowlinson takes a tour of popular East Anglian towns and villages.
Credit: Knight Frank
An exquisite home tucked away in Surrey Hills woodland that blends Arts-and-Crafts with a touch of Versailles
Penny Churchill takes a look at Charles Hill Court, a magnificent home up for sale in a hugely popular spot.
-
The most expensive postcodes outside of London have been revealedSome are not so surprising. Some are quite surprising. Most are still quite close to London. All are costly.
-
Meet the willow weaving artist whose work is popular on both sides of the pondThis summer, Laura Ellen Bacon's work stars in two different exhibitions.
-
The most expensive postcodes outside of London have been revealedSome are not so surprising. Some are quite surprising. Most are still quite close to London. All are costly.
-
A £1.5 million flat on the street where wig and pen once metIt doesn't get more central London than Fleet Street.
-
A spectacular coastal estate in Dorset set on its own private peninsulaThis 160-acre estate is part nature reserve and part country home, with a beautiful Arts-and-Crafts home at its heart.
-
A converted bothy on the shores of Loch Tay from which to enjoy the fresh tastes of SpringWaterfall Cottage offers four bedrooms and a garden that stretches right down to the lapping waters.
-
An idyllic home in Hampshire that's perfect for the musical mindLyewood House sits in 3.5 acres and comes with a purpose built recording studio and an outdoor heated pool.
-
A well-connected rural playground with 23 acres on the edge of the South Downs National ParkOld House Farm is an impressive family home with a wealth of amenities that would inspire any rural passion.
-
18 magnificent homes for sale from £550k to £20 million, as seen in Country LifeFrom a charming thatched cottage to a 300-acre estate with its own vineyard, here's our pick of places to come to the market via Country Life of late.
-
A converted monastery for sale where the chapel has become the most incredible swimming pool we've seen in yearsYou can't help but wonder what the Trappist monks who once owned this 80-acre site in Devon would make of how the place has turned out.
