It's not often that a staircase alone can sell a house, but in the case of Eden Mount — an imposing Grade-II listed mansion in the Lake District — it might just be enough to do the job. It sweeps up from a graceful and spacious hallway, switches back around on itself, and continues up to a large, pleasant landing. The steps are parquet, topped in the centre by a carpet held in place with brass stair rods; and then there is the polished wooden handrail topping a wrought iron balustrade. Wonderful.
Not that there isn't a lot more to offer at what the agents describe as 'a magnificent period family home in a remarkable setting'. This is five-bedroom, Victorian house, built in 1872, has a real Gothic look to it, with characteristic windows and a central tower which are somewhat reminiscent of a miniature St Pancras Station. It's up for sale with Fine & Country via OnTheMarket at £750,000, a price which includes the main house and two-thirds of an acre of gardens in the village of Wetheral, near Carlisle.
The rooms are large, full of light and decorated in an ornate style which seems entirely in keeping with the architecture — notwithstanding the slightly surprising sight of seeing a full-sized ping pong table in one of the rooms.
Equally striking — albeit in a different way — is the decor in the living room, with bold red walls, fabulously confident curtains and an intricately-carved wooden fireplace surround.
The kitchen is a real highlight, with a large island, dining room, a huge green Aga and, er, an easy chair. It might not be what you expect to see, but it's hard to deny that it looks good in the photographs — something which the agents have clearly spent a huge amount of effort getting right. Or at least making them eyecatching.
Four of the five bedrooms are on the first floor, with the fifth inside that eye-catching turret — the sort of bedroom which can imagine being thrilled for children, guests or both.
Within the grounds of Eden Lodge there is another property, a two-bedroom cottage called 'The Retreat' which is 'available by separate negotiation' rather than included in the deal. It seems like ideal extra accommodation for family and friends or for renting out as a holiday home.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
Three delightful homes for sale in Suffolk, Surrey and SW7, as seen in Country Life
This week's round-up includes a country house built in the style of Edwin Lutyens, and boasting gardens inspired by Gertrude
-
Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country LifeWe take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
-
Exploring the countryside is essential for our wellbeing, but Right to Roam is going backwardsCampaigners in England often point to Scotland as an example of how brilliantly Right to Roam works, but it's not all it's cracked up to be, says Patrick Galbraith.
-
Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country Life
We take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
-
380 acres and 90 bedrooms on the £25m private island being sold by one of Britain's top music producersStormzy, Rihanna and the Rolling Stones are just a part of the story at Osea Island, a dot on the map in the seas off Essex.
-
A home cinema, tasteful interiors and 65 acres of private parkland hidden in an unassuming lodge in KentNorth Lodge near Tonbridge may seem relatively simple, but there is a lot more than what meets the eye.
-
A rare opportunity to own a family home on Vanbrugh Terrace, one of London's finest streetsThis six-bedroom Victorian home sits right on the start line of the London Marathon, with easy access to Blackheath and Greenwich Park.
-
A tale of everyday life as lived on Britain's most expensive streetWinnington Road in Hampstead has an average house price of £11.9 million. But what's it really like? Lotte Brundle went to find out.
-
Damon Hill's former home in Marbella is the perfect place to slow downThe glorious Andalusian-style villa is found within the Lomas de Marbella Club and just a short walk from the beach.
-
A 327-acre estate in the heart of 'England’s Côte d’Or', with a 26,000sq ft Georgian style home at its heartStokes Hall in the Crouch Valley is an inspiring property looking for a new owner.
-
Schreiber House, 'the most significant London townhouse of the second half of the 20th century', is up for saleThe five-bedroom Modernist masterpiece sits on the edge of Hampstead Heath.
