If you’re looking to up sticks and move to the country, but you’re wondering what you’d do there — and you don’t fancy going down the farming route a la Jeremy Clarkson or Kelvin Fletcher — there’s a fascinating option on the market right now. It’s a 212-acre farm in Cumbria, not far from Cockermouth, and it’s for sale through Strutt & Parker at £1.5 million — which is the same price as this two-bedroom flat in Barnet.
There is a catch — there’s always a catch — in that the agents coyly note that the traditional Cumbrian longhouse that’s the actual accommodation here is ‘in need of refurbishment’. These are words that are not too worrying when accompanied by pictures… but when the property listing has no internal pictures at all, your mind can’t help but run riot. What lies within?
That said, the opportunity here is far more than just a pretty house on a stunningly beautiful hillside in the Lake District, because a bigger prize is at stake: planning permission has been granted to turn the string of farm buildings into tourist accommodation. And it’ll be tourist accommodation with spectacular views of the Solway Firth to the north and the Cumbrian mountains to the south. You can see more details about the new life that awaits at the property listing page on the Strutt & Parker website.
Quiz of the Day
1) How many bones in the human skull are movable?
2) What would you keep in a tantalus?
3) La Cucaracha is a song about which creature?
4) How many yards are there in a chain?
5) Which Royal residence is on the bank of the River Dee?
Steward's enquiry?
If you missed the news on Friday, Annabel Dixon did a deep-dive on the news that Woodbridge in Suffolk has been named the happiest town in Britain.
It was a surprise at first, since Woodbridge had been nowhere near the top five in previous editions of Righmove's survey. Did the good denizens of Woodbridge coordinate a bit of tactical voting? It must be noted that an extra 9,000 people took part in this year's survey, which is roughly the population of this little Suffolk town. Is skulduggery afoot?
But then you think about it, and it's not really a surprise at all since it's a town full of fun, independent shops, beautiful architecture, great food and scenery which makes you feel like you're living in a Constable painting.
Posh Jo Malone candles
If you like them, you have something in common with Mary Berry. She spoke to Hetty Lintell about these and more of her favourite things.
If you've ever wondered why Dracula was set in Whitby...
...this picture of the Abbey should convince you. Beauty, wintry elegance and a chill down your spine which is only partially down to the weekend temperatures...
There's only two Ollie Robinsons
Cricket fans are agog at the makeup of England's latest Test cricket team, since it features a wicketkeeper called Ollie Robinson, who shares his name with England fast bowler Ollie Robinson. The latter isn't in the line-up at the moment, but everyone in the world of sport is crossing their fingers for the potential joy that would be watching two identically-named cricketers playing at the same time for England. Surely the selectors can see that they shouldn't stand in the way of this happening?
What makes it even better is that they share a birthday (albeit five years apart). According to sporting email list The Upshot, the chances of two young cricket players sharing a name, and a birthday, and getting picked for England is one in 1.3 trillion.
That's it — we're back tomorrow
Quiz Answers
1) One (lower jaw or mandible)
2) Decanters/alcohol
3) A cockroach
4) 22
5) Balmoral Castle
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The pinnacle of the English style of gardening, as fine today as it was a century agoCharles Quest-Ritson has just returned to Great Dixter for the first time in years — and it's 'the high point of all my garden visiting for a long time. I cannot recommend it too highly'.
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How the acrobatic buzzard survived persecution to become one of Britain's best avian huntersIt may appear lethargic, but no one could argue with the hunting prowess of the common buzzard when it transforms into a surging missile intent on an unsuspecting victim.
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A pavilion, pool and pleasure gardens at this Devon country house 'with not another building in sight'Ebberly House is a majestic country house in Devon built by one of John Soane's pupils — and as it comes to the market, it's a place Penny Churchill knows well.
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Take over the world or throw a great big party on this private fort for sale in PembrokeThorne Island, dubbed the British Alcatraz, has been a £2 million labour of love. Now it could be yours.
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The perfect summer house? A country home, beach house and rural escape rolled into one in a prime spot in SussexIf there's a finer house than Grangewood House in which to enjoy the summer, we'd love to see it. Penny Churchill takes a look.
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A six-bedroom modern masterpiece mere minutes from Europe's best golf courseVilla Stern catches the eye with its distinctive design, and is imbued with luxury inside and out.
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Everything the light touches… The London penthouse for sale that will make you feel like a kingThe Observatory in London’s Fulham boasts 360-degree views of the capital.
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This converted mill is the epitome of bucolic beauty and its grounds were masterminded by one of the finest garden designers alive todayHunworth Mill is the very picture of bucolic bliss, with exquisite gardens created by Arne Maynard.
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Yes to padel, no to swimming pools: How to attract a new generation to the countrysideYoung parents are leaving the city earlier than in previous years, according to new research. What are they looking for?
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A country house for sale that's had a century and a half of blood, sweat and tears poured into itGeneration after generation has lovingly restored Little Onn — and their efforts have paid off in fine style.
