HOLMERE BANK

A handsome house, built in 1815, Grade II Listed and possessing many fine and original features of this elegant period in architectural design such as graceful proportions, high ceilings and tall sash windows, a refined staircase, an Adam style mantelpiece with an open grate, paneled doors some with brass finger plates, deep skirting boards, moulded ceiling cornices, exposed pine and flagged floors. If you love authentic period detailing, then Holmere Bank will appeal.

When the vendors bought the house it had been in the same ownership for decades and was ready for an overhaul. They set about a carefully considered and sensitive programme of works which included recovering the roof, CAT 6 wiring, new boilers in both the house and the annex, new kitchen and utility fittings, two new bathroom suites, replastering the majority of rooms and redecoration throughout, all designed to make the house more suited for modern family life whilst still being very respectful to the age and integrity of the property.

The primary accommodation is on three floors with an additional range of cellars. There are four reception rooms, a kitchen, utility room, conservatory and cloakroom. To the first floor are five double bedrooms, a house bathroom and ensuite bathroom. To the second floor are a large playroom and a dressing room.

The annex, a converted and attached outbuilding, now provides a useful addition to the house, used and enjoyed by the family as a single space, it could be occupied separately and would suit a dependent family member, could be reserved for guests or let to provide an additional source of income. It offers a sitting room, two bedrooms, shower room, kitchen and workshop.

Within a Conservation Area, well screened gardens extend around the house providing privacy, there’s room for sitting, relaxing and outside dining, running around on the big lawn, growing your own in the kitchen garden and plenty of parking.

We very much see ourselves as custodians of this property for the duration of our ownership. It’s been a privilege to live in such a beautiful house as it’s part of the heritage of our country. It has really served us well as family house as the children have been growing up.

Before we moved here we knew the area as we were already living locally. We knew the house from afar and had often admired it. As soon as we viewed it, we felt it was home.

We’ll be sad to leave but time has come for us to downsize as our children will be off soon and we’ll rattle round. It’s been the perfect family house, but it’s time for the next custodians to enjoy it as much as we have.”

This is a location for those that appreciate a rural setting, the value of a strong local community that a well respected village has to offer and the advantage of being well placed for getting out and about for daily errands, daytrips and work.

Yealand Conyers is set to the west of the A6 and M6 as it runs between Kendal and Lancaster so whether you need to travel for business or love to get out and about for pleasure, transport links are to hand with convenient access onto the M6 at J35 and train stations on the main West Coast line at both Lancaster and Oxenholme (Kendal) depending on the direction of your travel with a connecting station at Carnforth (3.5 miles distant). London and Edinburgh can easily be reached within 2.5 hours by train, while Manchester is reached in under an hour, bringing travel for work and pleasure within easy reach.

Carnforth is the nearest town for local amenities with a range of shops, healthcare services and a choice of supermarkets (Booths, Tesco and Aldi). The nearest city is Lancaster, vibrant and growing it has much to offer all generations with an established cultural and music scene, bars and restaurants offering cuisines from around the world, an excellent range of high street and independent shops, a comprehensive offering of professional services, two universities (Lancaster and Cumbria) and good healthcare with both private and NHS hospitals.

Step inside

The front of Holmere Bank faces due east and the back directly west, so as the sun moves round the house enjoys sun all day on one side or the other. Lovely high ceilings and tall windows ensure that the rooms are airy and bright. The views to the east are over the garden to the wider countryside and then out towards Farleton Knott. The outlook from the rear elevation is across the garden to include glimpses of neighbouring village properties over the hedge and tree line.

A smart door opens via a vestibule to the welcoming staircase hall. There are four reception rooms in the main house; the formal drawing room is truly an elegant space, it has a wide arch opening to the dining room which has double opening glazed doors to the hall and then through to the kitchen. The desired effect was to offer a connection between these rooms without being open plan which it was felt would have been inauthentic for the period of the house. It’s a successful adaptation that works well for everyday family living and is no doubt equally effective when having family and friends over. From the drawing room, double opening glazed doors provide access to the conservatory so the flow continues into this light filled south facing room and then out through French windows to the garden. There are two further reception rooms on this floor, a snug which the family uses as a TV room and an office which has a lovely leafy aspect to the rear garden. The breakfast kitchen is traditionally appointed with cabinets from local contractors English Hardwood (Carnforth). With classical good looks, units have been painted a pale grey and given contemporary finishing touches with black and grey stone worktops and polished chrome handles. Keen cooks will appreciate the Rangemaster cooking range with six gas burners and electric ovens, all set within a high mantle with cleverly concealed storage. Integral appliances include NEFF dishwasher and microwave, Fisher & Paykel American style fridge freezer with twin larder cupboards either side, there’s a double pot sink, a Quooker instant hot water tap and a concealed bin. Making it a sociable kitchen is the matching island unit which extends to a breakfast bar with space for three or four stools, all set under atmospheric pendant lighting. The kitchen has a lovely dual aspect, out to the back garden and the long view, through the dining room opposite to the front garden with the local fells as a backdrop.

The elegant staircase rises to the first floor and then continues up to the second. Looking up, you’ll see the traditional tall window visible on the half landing.

Arranged in a traditional ‘four square’ there are four generous double bedrooms, two to the front elevation, two on the rear, two have period fireplaces. A family bathroom is fitted with a heritage style suite and offers a roll top bath, square cut wash basin, loo and heated towel rail.

The principle bedroom suite is set at the far end and offers front to back space with an exceptionally spacious split level bedroom, an ensuite bathroom with a contemporary elliptical free standing bath, a large shower cubicle with rainfall and hand held shower heads and twin heritage style wash basins set on a storage cabinet. The flooring is Amtico and there are two heated towel rails. A spiral staircase rises from the bedroom to the second floor where there is a dressing room fitted with easy access open fronted wardrobes and shelving. There’s a connecting door to the large playroom, although this can also be reached from the main staircase. Built into the roof space with exposed trusses this is an absolutely super room that is perfect for children of all ages; there’s space for trainsets and Scalextric tracks, band practice, pool tournaments and whole worlds to be built of Lego…..Wasted on the little ones? It would make a great space for yoga practice, reading, crafting, sewing…there is a really lovely view to the north over a patchwork of fields.

The cellars are accessed internally via a set of stone steps. There are three rooms, two of which have power and light.

The Annex

Holmere Bank is very much occupied as a single residence. The sitting room in the annex is employed as a cinema room and the kitchen provides an excellent utility room.

The kitchen has the same look as in the main house so that the two sit harmoniously next to each other. This time the worktops are oak and there’s a ceiling mounted airer. AEG electric oven, NEFF two plate electric hob, Samsung washing machine, deep pot sink and a broom cupboard.

The sitting room is currently enjoyed as a cinema room with a 3m wide screen, EPSON projector and built in speakers, all fitted by Majik House (Kirkby Lonsdale) and available to purchase separately. With an Esse multi fuel stove and ceiling rising high to the apex it’s an atmosp heric space for an evening or rainy afternoon’s entertainment.

There are two bedrooms, one on the ground floor with an ensuite shower room and the second on the first floor (the family use this one as a gym). A workshop provides a useful store for tools, has a sink unit and houses a Hotpoint larder fridge.

This has been a wonderful family house for us. There are plenty of rooms so we can be together in the same space when we want to be or enjoy being in the different rooms, doing our own thing. In summer our favourite room is probably the snug, and in winter, it’s definitely the cinema room, it’s a great for us all to watch a film together as a family. Throughout the year the children have loved the cinema when their friends come over and also the big playroom on the top floor. They can have their freedom and make as much noise as they like; both spaces are away from the rest of the house. The main drawing room we have as a screen free space, we call it our ‘room of reflection’, it’s lovely t o be able to have the option and the luxury of a quiet room just for reading and conversation. At Christmas the tree looks wonderful in here.”

Step outside

There are two drives, one to the front and a second to the rear. Both are gated making the gardens enclosed for children and dogs.

The front of the house has the main parking area although further off road space is available along the back drive. To the east, a wide set of steps lead down to a level lawn, known as “the paddock” this is perfect for ball games, charging around and burning off energy. If you like the idea of growing your own kitchen produce then there’s an orchard and kitchen garden with raised beds.

The garden to the south is adjacent to the conservatory and has great far reaching views.

The main seating area is to the west of the house. Leading out from the kitchen and cinema room there is a cobbled area which enjoys the last of the sun. A lawn lies beyond and is bordered by a hedge for privacy with plum and flowering cherry trees. The trunk of a tall ash tree is encircled by a low stone wall and makes the perfect bench, all you need is a few cushions and you’re all set up.

Spring into summer is probably our favourite time of year in the garden. It all greens up and is so private.

We love to be outside and have a firepit and bbq set up at the back of the house to make the most of the weekends and evening sun after work.

It’s a super garden for a family. The children and our dog have loved the paddock. We really enjoyed growing our own veg in the raised beds; we sadly don’t have the time now, but the beds are still there.

It’s been a great house and garden for entertaining. We’ve had some fabulous parties here, the time we had teepees on the paddock for a glamping weekend to celebrate a special birthday springs to mind.”

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 22.06.2023