Brookhouse, Lancaster, Lancashire

Moorside Cottage

Brookhouse | Lancaster | Lancashire | LA2 9JP

MOORSIDE COTTAGE

Welcome to Moorside Cottage, Brookhouse, Lancaster, LA2 9PJ

With chocolate box good looks, this delightful detached cottage sits in beautifully tended and established gardens creating a haven of privacy in a central village setting.

The cottage itself has all of the character one would hope for in a Grade II Listed property dating back to the late C17th. Extended, altered and updated sympathetically over the years it now offers well proportioned and attractively presented accommodation of two/three reception rooms, a kitchen and utility room, three/four bedrooms, a house bathroom, ensuite shower room and separate shower room. Within the delightful garden are a Scandinavian lodge (with planning permission for use as an AirBnB), a summer house and a greenhouse. The gardens wrap around the house providing numerous seating areas throughout the day, there is good parking and turning space and an attached garage. Situated in the heart of this Conservation Area village and next door to the church this is a lovely setting for a picturesque cottage.

Location

Brookhouse is a small village in north Lancashire, east of Lancaster and south of Kirkby Lonsdale within the sought after Lune Valley which nestles between the national parks of the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District. It is one of a number of small villages and hamlets situated alongside, or close to, the A683 which runs along the level low-lying Lune Valley bottom however as Brookhouse’s main thoroughfare is part of an older route the village is relatively quiet and traffic-free and therein lies part of its charm.

To the south lies the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, an area of sprawling heather moorland and to the north runs the broad sweep of the Lune Valley, an attractive stretch with undulating hills and countryside at the heart of which is the meandering river.

Over the last century Brookhouse has expanded westwards and has almost joined with Caton although the two settlements still have very separate and distinct identities but it does mean that Moorside Cottage has the benefit of being convenient, indeed, within walking distance, for local amenities in both Brookhouse and Caton. Brookhouse offers a Londis general store, a fish and chip/Chinese take away and a hairdresser’s salon. In Caton there is a Co-op store, a petrol and mechanical garage, café, second hairdressers, as well as doctors and vets surgeries. There are three pubs between them and both villages have rooms or halls for local clubs and gatherings; Caton also has an annual gala.

Said to have once been the village school, Moorside Cottage is situated adjacent to the picturesque church of St Paul’s. The church has C12th Norman origins although it was almost completely rebuilt to the designs of E G Paley, renowned Victorian church architects of Lancaster.

Offering traditional village life, Brookhouse is popular with families as there is a primary school and yet it remains highly accessible by road for a slice of city centre living with Lancaster so close by. The university city of Lancaster is thriving and offers a full range of commercial and recreational facilities including cuisine from around the world, a great shopping experience and a choice of theatres and cinemas. The Lune Valley is a haven for food lovers with well regarded pubs and restaurants along the main roads. Kirkby Lonsdale offers more places to eat and drink as well as a bustling main street of largely independent retailers.

. We were looking for a period property set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and in Moorside Cottage we found just that.”

Moorside Cottage is traditional to the very core, from the stone mullion windows (now with double glazing), exposed lintels, trusses and beams to the multi-fuel stoves in the dining and garden rooms, the Victorian style bathroom suites, the classically styled cabinets of the kitchen and the extensive use of pine for the internal joinery, adding warmth and character, this is a property for those that embrace the time–honoured appeal, honesty and personality of a period property. Moorside Cottage leans into its character and is all the richer for it.

Instantly welcoming there’s an open invitation to relax here with a central dining room at the heart with a multi-fuel stove, a choice of sitting rooms (surelythe secret of family harmony?) and a well equipped kitchen. For those looking to work from home there’s a study with a fitted two person desk, storage and shelving as well as a delightful view out to the garden… it may however prove a little distracting as you watch the birds outside!

The main living space is located off the kitchen and was a 1999 addition to the cottage. With a ceiling rising to the apex and windows to three sides including glazed French windows opening to the main outside dining area this is a room that’s both cosy in winter thanks to the multi fuel stove and airy and cool in summer as the doors allow a great flow between inside and outside spaces.

The second sitting room was used as an occasional guest bedroom by the previous owners; with the addition of a sofa bed it would offer the best of both worlds as there’s a shower room on the ground floor which allows your visitors to have a degree of independence from the main family bedrooms on the first floor. A Victorian style fireplace adds character whilst the gas flame effect fire adds instant warmth and convenience.

The kitchen has several hallmarks of a traditional kitchen – white paneled doors, wood block work tops, a double pot sink, a mantle over the range cooker and a separate dresser incorporating a plate rack and glazed display cupboards. There’s also conveniences for modern day living; the Cannon 6 ring gas hob (with two gas ovens, separate grill and warming oven), NEFF integral fridge and Baumatic dishwasher. The adjacent utility room houses the washing machine (Hoover) and the combi central heating boiler, there are doors to the garden, to the shower room and separate loo and wash basin.

Rising to the first floor the landing opens out to a small room with a view over the garden, this would make the perfect spot for a reading chair to enable you to quietly curl up with a good book.

The master bedroom is a good double and has a dual aspect including a lovely aspect over towards the church – a lovely sight to wake to. There’s an arch to the ensuite (if modesty prevails, a door could easily be added) with large shower cubicle, wash basin and loo, all with a cottagey Victorian floral design.

The next two double bedrooms both have fitted furniture and the main bathroom has another charming flowery three piece suite of a double ended bath, wash basin and loo.

The garden room is our favourite space; it’s where we spend the most time as it has a different character with the seasons. We hunker down with the fire in winter and in summer the doors are always open into the garden. At Christmas it looks especially lovely in here as the room has the height for a tall tree!”

Arriving through the gated entrance there’s a generous block paved area for parking and turning. The attached garage is ready for the motor enthusiast with a pit, power and light. With a lean-to roof line there is additional high level storage and plenty of wall shelving too.

The front of the cottage faces north east, the rear south west and it is here that the main seating area has been positioned to create lovely sheltered and very private dining and seating areas. Great thought has been given to the seating areas within the garden, a bench here or table and chairs there, each offering a different aspect of the garden and cottage as the sun moves round during the day and as the seasons change, there’s always something new to observe and admire.

The garden is structured around the trees, paths and seating areas so as to cleverly divide the garden into sections of interest and use. Stone, cobble and bricks have been used for paths, paving and steps with clever use of contrasting colour and texture.

A stately ash, impressive weeping willow and colourful acers provide the main tree focus in the front garden and to the rear you’ll find damson, plum and apple trees. In the foreground to the cottage’s front elevation is a lawn with raised borders and beds that are well stocked with a wide variety of shrubs including camellias, rhododendrons and holly bushes with herbaceous plants planted inbetween. At the side of the cottage are established blackcurrant bushes. Throughout the garden there is a huge array of bulbs, starting early in the year with snowdrops and following through into spring with hyacinths and daffodils.

The octagonal wooden summer house has been a firm favourite with power and light, it’s a chosen spot for an afternoon tea or evening tipple.

A recent addition has been the Lillevilla spruce and shingle garden room, manufactured in Finland there’s power and light and with a pale white and grey colour washed interior, it’s a lovely peaceful spot for relaxing. The vendors had intended to set up an Airbnb from here, utilising the downstairs cloakroom and shower for guests. It’s an arrangement that would no doubt work well, but it would also be excellent as overflow guest accommodation, as a hobbies space or as a childrens’ play room. Which ever way you look at it, it’s a super and very versatile addition to the property.

Adding the relaxing sound of running water to the garden along with the birdsong is the plumbing for two water features, the ornamental pump over the well at the back of the cottage is included in the sale. On the practical side of things, there’s a greenhouse, log store and compost bin as well as outside lights and water.

It all makes for a very appealing setting for the cottage.

The lovely garden appealed as soon as we set eyes on the cottage, it’s not overlooked and was well stocked, we love to garden so it’s been a pleasure to look after it and over the years add to it with plants of our own. The grandchildren have loved the garden, they play football on the lawn and hide and seek in the different sections. The wildlife is lovely, the birds especially, we even have a visiting pheasant.”

Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. Printed 12.04.2023

FURTHER INFORMATION

On the road

M6 J35 – 3.1 miles

Lancaster – 5.5 miles

Kirkby Lonsdale – 11.9 miles

Manchester – 58.6 miles

Liverpool airport – 68.8 miles

Manchester airport –66.5 miles

The above journey distances are for approximate guidance only and have been sourced from the fastest route on the AA website from the property postcode.

Rail Journeys

Based on approximate direct train journey durations from Lancaster train station. Train service durations vary, please check nationalrail. co.uk for further details.

Services

57mins

Manchester (Piccadilly)

Schools

Primary Caton St Paul’s CoE Primary School

Secondary

There is a choice of schools in Lancaster including the Royal Grammar Schools

2hrs

30 mins

London (Euston)

Edinburgh 2hrs

17mins

Local Authority

Lancaster City Council – band F

Tenure - Freehold

Mains electricity, gas, water and drainage. Security alarm. Broadband for the Rural North (B4RN) is in the village, visit their website www.B4RN.org.uk to see about connection.

Directions

Use Sat Nav LA2 9JP with reference to the directions below:

Approaching Brookhouse from Caton, drive into the village and immediately after the Black Bull Inn (and before the bridal shop) on your right turn right into New Street and continue to the end through the gates – there is a name plate on the left hand wall.

Local leisure activities

3-1-5 gym and pool, Golf clubs – Lancaster, Morecambe, Kirkby Lonsdale

Tennis and bowls clubs – Caton, Bank House Fly Fishery - Caton

Local eateries

Within walking distance, The Black Bull Inn (Brookhouse), The Ship Inn and The Station Hotel (Caton).

Included in the sale

Fitted carpets

Great walks nearby

Good access to the cycle-path – from here walk into Lancaster.

North Lancashire Bridleway, a 45 km route from the Lune Valley through the Forest of Bowland to Chipping.

Curtains

Curtain poles

Blinds

Light fittings

And integral kitchen appliances as described

£650,000

Registered in England and Wales. Company Reg No. 4270819 Registered Office: Ellerthwaite Square, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1DU copyright © 2023 Fine & Country Ltd.

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