They say a picture is worth 1,000 words. That might certainly be true of Waternook and The Great Barn in Cumbria. If it were up to me, I would simply stop typing at this point, and just let the images speak for themselves. I am sure many people would be quite delighted to hear less of me.
Sadly, the internet and its many algorithms do not work that way. So I must also describe this property — for sale with Savills for £6 million — even though I could never do it justice. What we have here is two properties, namely Waternook and The Great Barn. Standing in some 26 acres of grassland and woodland, in a stunning position on the edge of Ullswater and with more than 825 metres of shoreline access. As locations go, it does not get much better than this in England.
Waternook is the principal property on this estate/fairytale piece of land. Finished to an exceptional standard, the 17th century stone farmhouse offers six bedrooms and has been significantly extended in recent years. Along with all the boring usual things like having a ‘kitchen’ and a ‘living room’, the Waternook also has something I’ve not seen before, which is a Laconium spa with a bar in it — like putting the antidote next to the poison bottle.
A bit further down the hill is the Great Barn, itself a four-bedroom property that was once, you guessed it, a barn. Like many conversions, it presents itself in an open-plan format, with highlights including a central entertaining space, as well as a large balcony overlooking Ullswater. Should those two houses not be enough, then the Boathouse is a ‘rare and much desired addition to the property’, say agents, who note that the building, which has traditionally been used to store boat equipment, could be repurposed to provide some form of further accommodation or entertaining area.
Despite the raw scenery surrounding the property on all sides, the hamlet of Howtown and Hallin Fell are nearby, while the market town of Penrith is only 10 miles down the A66.
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
Stonehenge, Avebury and the stone circles of Britain, with Professor Vicki Cummings
One of Britain's top experts on stone circles, Professor Vicki Cummings, joins the Country Life podcast.
Credit: Knight Frank
An enhanced Elizabethan Manor house in Kent with gardens by Gertrude Jekyll
With 9,400sq ft of living space and almost eight acres of gardens, Stonepitts Manor near Seal Chart is a rose
Credit: DOMVS
A Grade II-listed Dorset manor house where sweeping staircases and four-poster beds meet pristine kitchen and swimming pool
Lashings of history, plenty of space both inside and out and a great location – Muston Manor is an idyllic
-
West London's spent the last two decades as the laughing stock of the style set — here's how it got its groove backThe style set is returning to the very West London neighbourhoods it once made a habit of spurning, finds Will Hosie.
-
The new property hotspots where you can have it all: Beautiful houses, great schools and idyllic lifestyleAcross the country people are selling up and heading to the towns where there's no compromise on dream homes, outstanding schooling and the good life, according to analysis from two of Britain's top estate agents. Anna White explains.
-
The new property hotspots where you can have it all: Beautiful houses, great schools and idyllic lifestyle
Across the country people are selling up and heading to the towns where there's no compromise on dream homes, outstanding schooling and the good life, according to analysis from two of Britain's top estate agents. Anna White explains.
-
Where Venice once ruled: The roving Venetians left handsome imprints across the Greek world, from its religion to its rambling villasMatthew Dennison explores the lingering traces of Venice's vanished empire — and the best places to buy where it once stood.
-
A delightful 16th century home with some of Kent's most beautiful gardens has come on to the marketThe Grange puts the 'garden' into the Garden of England.
-
A pristine Scottish island for sale at the price of a garage in FulhamA dot on the map of the west coast of Scotland has come on to the market, where you'll be surrounded by sea, living off grid and be neighbours with the local seal colony.
-
18 beautiful homes, from charming cottages to a Highland mansion with unbeatable views, as seen in Country LifeOur look at some of the best homes to come to the market via Country Life in the past week includes Georgian manor houses, charming commutable homes and the grandest home in Newcastle.
-
The gorgeous Somerset home of the designer behind one of Glastonbury's chicest spotsThe Manor in Hinton Blewitt is a glorious Georgian home that ticks every box.
-
A 600-year-old National Trust property that you can call homeThis blooming property in Kent showcases the original garden of England. Penny Churchill takes a look.
-
A wisteria-clad delight with lawns running down to the Thames is the prettiest riverside home for sale in London todayDeodar Road, near Putney High Street, offers unrivalled views of the Thames and is characterful in excess.
