In the wild northern reaches of Cumbria, Ryan Eve of Finest Properties is handling the sale, at a guide price of £1.95m, of one of the areas most appealing hidden houses: Grade II*-listed Four Gables near Brampton, 11 miles from Carlisle and a stone’s throw from Hadrian’s Wall.
Inspired by the design of a traditional Border bastle house, Four Gables was built in 1878 for the factor of the Earl of Carlisle’s Naworth estate, of which it was once a part.
It was one of two country houses designed by the Arts-and-Crafts architect, Philip Webb, for his friend George Howard, the 9th Earl, who was a talented artist and an admirer of the Pre-Raphaelites.
Four Gables remained in Howard family ownership until 1947 and is for sale for only the second time since then.
The handsome red-sandstone house stands in 4¼ acres of established, parkland-style grounds with surrounding woodland offering both shelter and privacy.
The interior is bright and airy, with soaring high ceilings that reflect the historic character of the buildings.
Notable features include impressive fireplaces in the reception rooms and hall and a magnificent bay window in the dining room. In all, the main house offers three principal reception rooms, nine bedrooms and four bathrooms.
The present owners have developed a successful self-catering business in the three beautifully converted holiday cottages within the grounds. The largest is a sumptuous barn conversion with five double bedrooms and generous entertaining spaces.
The second can house six guests in three bedrooms and has an airy, open-plan layout with views across open countryside. The third adjoins the main house and boasts a range of original features including stone-flag flooring, a range fireplace and exposed beams.
The vendors, who are planning to downsize, are continuing to accept bookings and would willingly open their books to a prospective purchaser, adds Mr Eve.
Four Gables is for sale at £1.95m — see more details and pictures.
Spectacular Scottish castles and estates for sale
A look at the finest castles, country houses and estates for sale in Scotland today.
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
-
‘The best sleep in the sky’: What it’s like to fly in United’s Polaris cabin, approved by American icon Martha StewartUnited’s Business Class cabin goes by the name Polaris and Martha Stewart is a fan. So, how does it fare?
-
From California to Cornwall: How surfing became a cornerstone of Cornish cultureA new exhibition at Cornwall's National Maritime Museum celebrates a century of surf culture and reveals how the country became a global leader in surf innovation and conservation.
-
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.
-
If heaven is on earth, it might be in this home with a converted chapel that is now a swimming pool5 Wood Barton Town House is part of an exclusive 80-acre development in Devon that also comes with fishing rights on the River Avon and four bedrooms.
-
The sounds of spring and stained glass in an Arts-and-Crafts masterpiece in DorsetWith 35 acres, more than 10 bedrooms, a swimming pool and tennis court, Winterfield has it all.
-
An eight-bedroom wonder in East Sussex where the outdoors are an adventureThe interiors of Old Middleton are pretty good too.
-
A lakeside farmhouse on the market in the beautiful heart of PembrokeshireA lake, streams, 15 acres and five bedrooms. Rogershook might have it all.
-
An idyllic countryside home that's light, spacious and comes with a Grade II-listed follyHagg House is a gorgeous family home that just happens to have a miniature castle in the gardens. Annabel Dixon explains more.
-
A historic villa for sale on the Via Nomentana worthy of Rome's rich historyThree floors, lots of balconies, and a private garden in one of Rome's loveliest neighbourhoods.
-
Eight bedrooms of unlisted Edwardian elegance with sweeping views of SomersetAshton House sits near the market town of Chard and comes with a wealth of amenities both inside and out.
