A Victorian Gothic mansion with a turret room, an Aga, and a staircase so pretty it might just tip the balance
This fine family home in the Lake District offers a great mix of grandeur, modern comfort and style — plus, a room that's demonstrably big enough to play table tennis in.

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.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
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
Toby Keel is Country Life's Digital Director, and has been running the website and social media channels since 2016. A former sports journalist, he writes about property, cars, lifestyle, travel, nature.
-
'Monolithic, multi-layered and quite, quite magnificent. This was love at first bite': Tom Parker Bowles on his lifelong love affair with lasagne
An upwardly mobile spaghetti Bolognese, lasagne al forno, with oozing béchamel and layered meaty magnificence, is a bona fide comfort classic, declares Tom Parker Bowles.
By Tom Parker Bowles Published
-
Country houses, cream teas and Baywatch: Country Life Quiz of the Day, April 24, 2025
Thursday's Quiz of the Day asks exactly how popular Baywatch became.
By Toby Keel Published
-
A day walking up and down the UK's most expensive street
Winnington Road in Hampstead has an average house price of £11.9 million. But what's it really like? Lotte Brundle went to find out.
By Lotte Brundle Last updated
-
Damon Hill's former home in Marbella is the perfect place to slow down
The glorious Andalusian-style villa is found within the Lomas de Marbella Club and just a short walk from the beach.
By James Fisher Published
-
A 327-acre estate in the heart of 'England’s Côte d’Or', with a 26,000sq ft Georgian style home at its heart
Stokes Hall in the Crouch Valley is an inspiring property looking for a new owner.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
Schreiber House, 'the most significant London townhouse of the second half of the 20th century', is up for sale
The five-bedroom Modernist masterpiece sits on the edge of Hampstead Heath.
By Lotte Brundle Published
-
Is the 'race for space' officially over?
During the lockdowns, many thought the countryside was the place to be. It seems many are now changing their minds.
By Annabel Dixon Last updated
-
What's a 'wellness village' and will it tempt you back into the office?
The team behind London's first mixed-use ‘wellness village’ says it has the magic formula for tempting workers back into offices.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
A mini estate in Kent that's so lovely it once featured in Simon Schama's 'History of Britain'
The Paper Mill estate is a picture-postcard in the Garden of England.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
Hidden excellence in a £7.5 million north London home
Behind the traditional façades of Provost Road, you will find something very special.
By James Fisher Published