‘The market is tough in north Cumbria, where the demand is mainly for second homes or homes for retirement,’ says Ryan Eve of regional agents Finest Properties. ‘Although a general lack of confidence means buyers are slow to make up their minds, it also means that you can pick up a bargain – and, up here, you can get a lot for your money.’
He quotes a guide price of £595,000 for The Old Vicarage in the popular commuter village of Thursby, which lies on the old Roman road, some six miles south of Carlisle.
The village skyline is dominated by St Andrew’s Church, built in 1846 by the Brisco family, who once owned a 3,000-acre estate in these parts. Next door is the handsome, Grade II-listed former vicarage, which has early-15th-century origins, although the present Georgian-style building dates from the mid 18th century, with 19th-century additions.
The house stands on high ground at the end of a gated private driveway, with the Lake District National Park, Junction 42 of the M6 and Carlisle mainline station all a 15-minute drive away.
The house has been beautifully refurbished by the current owners, who bought it in 2014. It offers elegant family accommodation including a reception hall, three reception rooms, a modern kitchen, master suite, four further bedrooms and a family bathroom, and comes with planning consent for a conservatory/garden room, with beautiful views of the church.
For the outdoor enthusiast, The Old Vicarage's vicinity to the Lake District National Park offers a wealth of sporting opportunities and not a small number of gorgeous walks. The surrounding area boasts a fantastic selection of country pubs and shopping facilities, with both private and comprehensive schools in easy reach.
An Isle of Wight 'super-cottage' built by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert is up for sale
Queen Victoria's children and guests lived for years in the exquisitely detailed Osborne Cottage, which offers its buyer the opportunity
Credit: Savills
Poets' corner: The aristocratic family home which provided a haven for the literary geniuses of the 19th century
Credit: Savills
A stunning manor with beautiful Jacobean façade, deep in the heart of Wiltshire
The Manor has survived through the trials faced by Steeple Ashton, recently undergoing a stunning renovation which remains sympathetic to
Credit: Jackson-Stops
A delightful Hampshire home with kitchen garden, pool and a party room, as seen in Country Life
We take a look at a house in the Hampshire village of Headley, which ticks all manner of boxes for
-
A well-connected rural playground with 23 acres on the edge of the South Downs National ParkOld House Farm is an impressive family home with a wealth of amenities that would inspire any rural passion.
-
The UK gets its first ‘European stork village’ — and it's in West SussexAlthough the mortality rate among white storks can be up to 90%, the future looks rosy for breeding pairs in southern England.
-
A well-connected rural playground with 23 acres on the edge of the South Downs National ParkOld House Farm is an impressive family home with a wealth of amenities that would inspire any rural passion.
-
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.
