Thurland Cottage, Thurland Castle, Tunstall Road, Tunstall, LA6 2QR

Whether you choose to make Thurland Cottage your primary home or as bolt hole for escape and down time, the setup is perfect for a quiet and peaceful life. Previously this bijou abode has appealed to those seeking a second home as security is paramount on the estate ensuring it is ideal to lock up and leave whilst you are away travelling or at your main property. The sumptuously appointed interior offers residents a kitchen with space for informal dining, a reception room with room for more formal dining, a principal bedroom suite with a bathroom and exquisitely fitted dressing room/private study, a second double bedroom and a family shower room. Outside there is a private double garage and a reserved parking space adjacent to the stables’ entrance.

The Lune Valley is an exceptional sought after place to live offering a wonderful lifestyle with a host of fabulous country pubs and restaurants within a scenic drive, boutique shopping in Kirkby Lonsdale, great access to unspoilt countryside and furthermore, excellent road and rail connections ensuring you are never far away from the wider world.

All in all, a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a generous dose of tranquility and luxury in your every day.

Vendor Insight

"Living within the grounds of a castle offers an experience unlike any other. It combines the best aspects of luxury, history and nature, creating a lifestyle that is both elegant and peaceful. The opportunity to own a home within such an exclusive and beautiful setting is rare, making this a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Location

One of the English countryside’s unspoilt gems, the Lune Valley begins just a few minutes’ drive from Lancaster and borders both the Forest of Bowland AONB and the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It’s also a short drive into the heart of the English Lake District but offers the advantage of being a quiet and peaceful place to live, away from crowds and traffic. It’s a true haven.

With a backdrop of green and gently undulating fells, at the heart of which is the meandering River Lune, the valley has long been a sought-after place to live; thriving local communities have taken root in picturesque village and hamlets with a great choice of country pubs which make destination venues for regional food lovers. It’s rural, but not isolated. This is a wonderful place to set yourself if you value life in the countryside but equally rate excellent road and rail accessibility whether travelling for business or pleasure. Depending on the direction of your onward journey you can pick up the M6 at either junction 34 or 36. The same goes for train travel as both Lancaster and Oxenholme have stations on the main west coast line with frequent services to London, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Whilst not in the village itself, Tunstall has a super local pub that comes highly recommended for its seasonal menu and better still, it’s within walking distance. The picturesque Cumbrian market town of Kirkby Lonsdale is 4.8 miles distant, popular with locals and tourists alike, it has a range of amenities, some excellent pubs, cafes and restaurants, a much admired selection of independent shops, a branch of Booths supermarket as well as churches and a post office. There is also an excellent Thursday market offering fresh local produce.

In summary, within the moated castle, itself sat in stately grounds and surrounded by parkland, this is a serene setting and a truly prime location.

A historical note

Thurland Castle has had a rich history; with earlier origins (the earliest remains are 14th Centurey), Sir Thomas De Tunstall was granted a Royal Licence to crenulate his manor house in 1404, this then officially became Thurland Castle.

In 1643 the castle was made ruinous following a Civil War siege, it was restored in 1809 by Jeffrey Wyatt and in 1829 by Webster. In 1879 it was gutted by fire and had to be rebuilt, although many of the old walls were able to be retained, nowadays the majority of the castle dates back to the 1880s and is constructed partly in a Gothic, partly Elizabethan style. It was designed by local architects of high repute Paley and Austin; based in Lancaster they were responsible for many of the Lune Valley’s country houses (Whittington Hall, Underley Hall, Capernwray Hall and Hornby Castle) and those in the surrounding area (including Leighton Hall, Sedgwick House and Holker Hall) as well as local churches, schools, banks and railway station buildings.

In more recent times, having been a private house and wedding venue in the 1990s, in 2000 the castle was purchased by a well-regarded residential development company, who painstakingly divided the property into twelve individual houses and apartments. There are seven properties in the main castle (created from 2000) and a further five in the stables (converted from 2003).

Step inside

Upon arrival at the castle you will pull in off the road to the generous splayed entrance, between high stone walls are imposing wrought iron gates. One press of the remote control (there’s a keypad for your deliveries and guests) and the gates gently glide open. First impressions matter enormously and as you sweep up the splendid tree-lined driveway you cannot fail to be impressed.

Every season brings a new visual treat, the vibrancy of spring, the golden hues of autumn, it is a splendid way to arrive home and greet guests. The dedicated visitor parking area is nearer the castle and on the left. Continue over the moat bridge and through the archway with its impressive gas fired flaming torches (just imagine how festive these look at Christmas as does the large, illuminated tree that’s positioned at the head of the drive!), bear left into your allocated parking space and you’ve arrived!

Once parked a stone archway leads into the stable courtyard. Thurland Cottage is on the right. The front door opens into the kitchen, stylishly fitted with SieMatic cabinets with marble worktops, a matching dining table and coats cupboard. The floor is travertine and there is a large roof lantern allowing light to flood in and a super view of the clouds drifting by.

The primary reception space is an elegant sitting room with a wall of glazing incorporating French windows out to the courtyard, there’s room to dine here making it a welcoming space in which to entertain. Cabinets with shelving over line a wall and a carved stone fire surround houses an electric fire for maximum convenience.

An inner hall leads to the bedroom accommodation. The principal suite is at the far end, a generous double room, extensively appointed with cabinets having burred maple doors. The fittings include a cleverly designed dressing table featuring a cunning storage compartment with hidden power points and a pop up mirror. The adjacent room has matching cabinets with plenty of wardrobe space and a corner desk, enabling this to be used as a home study. The suite has a bathroom with a bath, shower, wash basin and WC. Travertine tiling and heritage style fittings ensure timeless appeal.

The second double bedroom has a wall’s full width of wardrobes which open to reveal fitted drawers. The family shower room serves this room and any guests and has a more contemporary aesthetic with shower, wash basin, WC and a travertine tiled floor. For comfort, underfloor heating runs throughout the entire property.

Step outside

The courtyard of the stable block is an entirely shared outdoor space and beautifully manicured by the estate gardeners ensuring you have maximum enjoyment with no personal effort. A sheltered sun trap, there’s space directly outside the sitting room’s French windows for you to position a table and chairs.

Beyond this there are ten acres of carefully landscaped grounds to experience with a delightful path that runs around the moat, stately trees, uninterrupted views towards majestic Ingleborough and a hard court tennis court. Each property has a double garage and there is dedicated parking for the visitors your new castle home will undoubtedly attract!

Directions

what3words bookcases.vessel.grid
Use Sat Nav LA6 2QR with reference to the directions below:
Travelling north on the M6, exit at J34 and take the A683 signed Kirkby Lonsdale northwards up the Lune Valley. Travel through the villages of Caton, Claughton, Hornby and Melling. Shortly after leaving Melling there is a small bridge over the River Greta as the main road continues round the sharp left hand bend. Pass a small group of roadside cottages and the impressive castle entrance is to be found on the right. Alternatively, heading south on the M6 exit at J36 and proceed on the A65 signed Kirkby Lonsdale. After bypassing Kirkby Lonsdale and crossing the River Lune, turn right onto the A683 signed Lancaster. Travel through the villages of Burrow and Tunstall and upon leaving Tunstall, Thurland Castle may be found on the left.

Tenure

The Thurland Cottage is being sold on the balance of a 999 year lease which commenced in 2004 subject to a quarterly maintenance charge (this was £1,269.30 for the period July – September 2024) which covered garden and ground maintenance, treatment plant upkeep, external lighting and buildings insurance. Each property at Thurland Castle has an equal share in the management company which owns the freehold interest.

Services

Mains water and electricity. LPG central heating from a Valliant boiler located in the kitchen. Private drainage to a treatment plant. Security alarm.

Included in the sale

Fitted carpets, curtains, curtain poles, blinds, light fittings and integral kitchen appliances as follows: combination oven/steam oven/grill/microwave, fridge freezer, washing machine (all Siemens), five ring gas hob, NEFF dishwasher. 

Available by way of further negotiation are certain items of furniture, please ask the Agents about any specific pieces of interest.

Internet Speed

Broadband
Full fibre gigabit broadband available from B4RN (Broadband for the Rural North) B4RN customers receive gigabit (1,000Mbps) speed.

Mobile
Indoor: EE, Three, O2 and Vodaphone are all reported as providing ‘limited/no’ services for both Voice and Data.
Outdoor: EE, Three, O2 and Vodaphone are reported as providing ‘likely’ services for both Voice and Data.
Broadband and mobile information provided by Ofcom.

Please note

To preserve the exclusively, security and privacy of all residents, holiday letting is not permitted.

Lancaster City Council

Council Tax band E