Finsthwaite, The Lake District

THE COPSE

Welcome to The Copse, Finsthwaite, The Lake District, LA12 8BJ

We present an exciting opportunity to renovate and rejuvenate this impressive detached Lake District Edwardian house on the edge of Lake District National Park. Standing well with an easterly orientation in an edge of village location enjoying open views across pastureland towards the church, The Copse benefits from a generous garden which would accommodate an extension to the existing house (subject to consent) thus offering further potential for enhancement. A handsome double fronted property built of traditional Lakeland stone with dressed quoin stones and window surrounds sitting under a slated roof topped with a row of red ridge tiles.

Constructed in 1900 for John Coward, the then manager of the nearby Stott Park Bobbin Mill upon the occasion of his marriage and later renamed Rowan Crag, the name reverted to the original when the present owners bought the house in 1983. They set upon a period of refurbishment and upgrades but it would be fair to say that time has now come once again for a new broom to sweep through the rooms and bring it up to date for modern 21st Century family living.

On the cusp of the Victorian and Edwardian eras in property styles, The Copse is more identifiable as Edwardian as the architecture is less ornate than late Victorian with some influences from the Arts and Crafts movement which was popular throughout the Lake District.

On the ground floor an attractive front porch opens into a central hallway off which are two reception rooms with a conservatory, kitchen and study. A rear extension provides a cloakroom, store room and garage, linked to the house by way of a covered passageway. On the first floor are three double bedrooms, a fourth single and the house bathroom. On the second floor are two attic rooms. Outside, a gated driveway opens to a parking area. Gardens surround the house with a dramatic crag at the back where a path winds up to a delightful higher level garden, surrounded by fields and with super views of the church and open countryside.

My parents bought the house for their retirement from teaching when they were in their 50s. Moving from a town, they threw themselves into village life and were an active part of the community for many years. This was never my home but my family, especially my children have spent many happy years here with their grandparents.”

Location

Finsthwaite is a picture perfect, unspoiled Lakeland village set around the striking 19th Century Church of St Peter, indeed The Copse looks out across the open field opposite towards the church.

Despite the seemingly sleepy location, it is an accessible spot and conveniently located for the main attractions of the Lake District; Hawkshead is 7.4 miles away, Bowness on Windermere is 9.7 miles distant, Coniston 11.3 miles, whilst Ambleside, Grasmere and Keswick are 12.4, 16.4 and 28.7 miles respectively. If you love exploring the great outdoors then all that the region has on offer is at your finger tips; whether its rambling or hiking, running, cycling, climbing, sailing or off-roading, you really couldn’t find a better place.

In terms of everyday needs, if you need to pop out for a paper or some basic groceries then the shop at the petrol filling station at Newby Bridge is your best bet. For a larger shop, try Ulverston for a great selection of independent retailers and supermarkets Booths, M&S Food and Aldi. Also good to know is that there is a doctor’s surgery in nearby Haverthwaite. Rural, but not isolated, it’s a great combination.

My parents loved having the field opposite; seeing the different livestock throughout the year brought them great joy. From the lambs in spring to the cows and sheep later on or even deer in the woods.”

The entrance porch is an attractive feature of The Copse and is a favoured place for morning coffee, the house is east facing and so the front gets the morning sun. Sat here watching the spring lambs must be lovely. Step inside and the entrance hall is a wealth of original character which then sets the tone throughout the house, the floor is mosaic tiles, there are deep skirting boards, pitch pine panel doors, a dado rail, plate rail and straight ahead the original staircase rises. The sitting room on the left has a lovely square bay window with a central fireplace housing the Morso wood burner, to one side is an alcove cupboard, on the other, a door into the conservatory; another favoured spot, this time for an afternoon cup of tea as the sun moves round. Take a seat here and watch the world go by…. well, as much as there is in this sleepy Lakeland village!

Double fronted, the house has a four square layout and on the opposite side to the sitting room, is the dining room. Both rooms look to the field opposite and across to the church. The dining room has a splayed bay and the original oak, high mantled fireplace with an inset Aga wood burner.

Not original, nor is it state of the art but the kitchen fittings would certainly ‘set you on’ whilst you planned future renovations, it has an eye level fitted double oven and hob. The view to the rear is of the dramatic crag, the rugged rock face which presumably was blasted out when the house was built for the newly married Mr and Mrs Coward. To the rear of the sitting room is a small study and linking it with the kitchen is a rear entrance vestibule which provides space to hang coats and the understairs store cupboard.

A later addition, a single garage has been built at the back of the house along with a cloakroom and store. All three are linked to the back door of the house by virtue of a covered passageway and provide a useful everyday entrance, whether with prams, muddy boots, dogs or shopping to unpack.

The original pitch pine staircase with original newel posts an balustrade takes you up to the split level first floor. The bathroom is accessed off a half landing at the rear of the house and is a period piece in its own right… straight out of the 1980s. If avocado and corner baths are your thing then this is one room to knock off the renovation list but otherwise, it offers good space to create the bathroom of your dreams. The first floor proper has three double bedrooms, all of which are lucky enough to still have the original pitch pine panel doors and cast iron bedroom fireplaces. The fourth room is a single but would adapt well to being an ensuite for one of the larger rooms. A limited access set of steps lead up to the second floor where a landing and two attic rooms have provided great space for hobbies and also storage.

Although there was only the two of them most of the time, the extra room meant my parents could both enjoy many different hobbie s, the attic rooms were perfect for this, and also have room for us all to stay. It was always such a happy family house; we would often visit for holidays. Christmas was always one of the m ost memorable times of the year here with a tree in the bay window of the sitting room and one in the garden too. When they moved here the kitchen was where the study is now and was ope n to the sitting room. Likewise, the existing dining room and the now kitchen were all one room, my parents divided both rooms. They added the conservatory but there had previously been an o lder one in that position.

Step outside

Drive in through the gated entrance and there’s space for parking and turning. At the back of the parking area is the garage and beyond that the exposed rock face with flowering shrubs planted above including rhododendrons, camellias and magnolia making for a lovely bank of colour in the spring and summer months.

A retaining stone wall fronts the road on which is a well established evergreen cotoneaster; in summer it will have masses of tiny, white star-shaped flowers followed by large, orangey red round berries for an autumnal display. Atop this and visible from the house is a rambling rose which blooms in summer with an abundance of cream coloured flowers. The front garden is laid to lawn with inset beds featuring mossy rockery stones and mature planting including some established heathers. Round to the side garden and it becomes a working area, tucked away and providing a shed, workshop, greenhouse, oil tank and fuel stores for the wood burners. The area at the back of the house is paved and provides a seating and drying area with access into the house through the covered passage.

In fairness, we’re not bringing you the back garden in its best shape, in its heyday defined steps and pathways climbed above the crag lined with flowering shrubs and woodland planting under the shade of the trees. Over the years, earth has filled in the steps but it does still give an insight into what it could be once again, a delightful access to the utterly charming top garden which has the feel of a magical clearing in the trees. Lakeland stone walls border the garden on three sides, there are two informal lawns and from here the views are unspoilt and peaceful, a haven for wildlife. It would be a lovely place to unwind with an evening drink after a long walk possibly up one of the areas many Lakeland fells (you’ve 214 Wainwrights to explore from this location) or a quiet spot in which to hang a hammock and enjoy the tranquility with a coffee with a good book. Children will love this garden, it is a perfect playground for making dens, tree swings and games of hide and seek. However you choose to enjoy this garden, it’s a very special place.

My parents adored the garden; my father in particular was a keen gardener. The trees were all in when they came, but they planted the flowering shrubs. They landscaped the back garden with steps leading up to the top garden where we used to have a lovely summer house – there’s a power point up there so we could boil a kettle. Over the years the steps have filled in so it’s more of an unmade slope these days but it could all be redone.”

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 17.05.2023

FURTHER INFORMATION

On the road

Haverthwaite 3.5 miles

Ulverston 9.1 miles

Rail Journeys

Based on approximate direct train journey durations from Oxenholme train station on the main West Coast line. Train service durations vary, please check nationalrail.co.uk for further details.

Please note

When viewing, if you wish to fully explore the garden please bring sturdy boots.

M6 J34 17.9 miles

Kendal 18 miles

Lancaster 32.3 miles

Manchester airport 92.1 miles

Liverpool airport 97.8 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.

Schools

Primary

Leven Valley CE (Haverthwaite)

Cartmel CoE Primary School

Secondary

Cartmel Priory School (11 – 16 years)

John Ruskin School (Coniston)

Sixth Form at Ulverston or Kendal

Local

(Euston)

Directions

Use Sat Nav LA12 8BJ with reference to the directions below:

Leave the A590 at Newby Bridge and turn onto the Hawkshead Road, crossing over the river bridge towards the Swan Inn. From here you can approach the house one of two ways but our directions follow the main road towards Lakeside. Passing the Lakeside Hotel on the right, continue and turn left immediately before the Bobbin Mill. Follow the road and The Copse is on the right before reaching the church.

Westmorland and Furness Council –Council Tax Band G

Things to do locally

Places to eat

The Swan (Newby Bridge)

The Bakehouse (Greenodd)

L’Enclume, Rogan & Co and Cavendish Arms Hotel (Cartmel)

Heft (High Newton)

Hazelmere Bakery (Grange over Sands)

Fishermans Arms (Baycliff)

Great walks nearby

High Dam and Finsthwaite Heights

Stott Park Bobbin Mill, Lakeland Motor Museum, The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway, Holker Hall, Muncaster Castle and Cartmel national hunt racecourse Council

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