1750s Farmhouse on 0.8 acres, 360° views, rustic charm, and scenic Rossendale countryside!

Lowerfold House, Cowpe Road, Rossendale, BB4 7AE

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A Rural Idyll

This converted 1750s farmhouse, which offers sweeping 360-degree views across the Rossendale Valley and borders moorland, is located in a charming hamlet of stone-built homes near numerous footpaths and bridleways. 

Set on 0.8 of an acre, the house maximises natural lighting and views across the lush rural landscape. Over the last ten years, the owner has added sensitive improvements that respect the home’s rich history and character, with the interior and exterior reflecting Lancashire’s industrial and farming heritage.

Welcome to the Hamlet

Nestled on a cul-de-sac at the end of Cowpe Road, Lowerfold House is one of a small collection of stone-built properties forming a neighbourly micro-community just a few minutes’ drive from Rawtenstall town centre.  

Open fencing allows uncompromised views and hugs the garden and a huge driveway crafted from reclaimed cobbles and flagstones. There’s space for several vehicles here – perfect for family events ­– and room to turn easily.

The large detached garage, which has an attached storage room, offers more space for cars or a workshop. Trimmed with shrubs and gravelled borders, the solid and secure stone house fits respectfully into the incredibly uplifting countryside rolling into the distance, while a traditional gabled porch with stone lintels to match the windows and lantern lights invites you inside.

Modern Meets Traditional 

Come through the porch into a wonderfully homely open-plan living room, dining area, and kitchen right at the heart of the home. Warmed by engineered oak floorboards and cream tiles, complementing the beautiful oak half-landing staircase, internal oak doors, and exposed stonework, it exudes a welcoming atmosphere and feels very cosy despite its size. 

Furthermore, large picture windows with Kelly Hoppen wooden shutters to three sides and bi-fold doors to the terrace capitalise on those stunning countryside views – what could be more relaxing than curling up here with a warm drink and a good book or watch out for the wild deer?

The spot-lit kitchen area has a full range of wrap-around, hand-painted shaker-style cabinetry that harmonises with the neutral wall tones and faces an oak block-topped central island, promoting a charming country air that ties in with the rustic aesthetic throughout. The surrounding worktops are crafted from stone, providing both durability and a refined finish. There are also numerous integrated appliances, including an American-style Neff fridge-freezer, a Stoves three-oven range-style cooker with a six-ring induction hob, a Neff microwave, and a dishwasher.

Pass the central dining area, with its gorgeous copper chandelier pendant, to discover a spot-lit utility room with practical tiled flooring, wooden worktops, extra cupboard space, an additional sink, space for two laundry appliances, plenty of room for coats and shoes, and garden access. You’ll also find a stylish WC with attractive format tiling and high-end sanitaryware brightened by a deep-set window with a stone sill and fitted Roman blinds.

Carry on past a useful boiler cupboard into the lounge, which runs from front to back and frames the scenery from triple-aspect picture windows. Painted in fresh white tones and with a cream carpet underfoot, it features a log burner set in the original 1700s mantle stones, creating the perfect backdrop for family gatherings and Christmas celebrations. 

Sleep Easy

Follow the gorgeous solid oak staircase to the first floor, pausing to soak in the view from the tall window as it turns and rises to a landing lit by elegant pendants. The soft cream carpet and grey skirtings and architraves continue into all four double bedrooms for a modern edge. 

The primary bedroom fills one side of the landing. Here, exposed beams and dual-aspect windows framing the dramatic rolling hills bring country character into this calm and ultra-spacious double, which is further brightened by a chandelier. Wake up to the Rossendale Valley before retreating into the spot-lit en suite, where hotel-style tiling backdrops a luxurious walk-in rainfall shower, a modern toilet, and a wall-hung vanity unit with a countertop basin and mirrored cabinet above. 

Your guests will also love staying in their own private suite opposite the stairs. It enjoys far-reaching views and a beautifully tiled en suite with a wet-room-style rainfall shower, modern sanitaryware, and a tall chrome heated towel rail. 

On the other side of the landing, there are two further well-proportioned double bedrooms, once again boasting beams and idyllic views across the rural landscape. Bedroom three also has a row of built-in wardrobes. 

The spot-lit family bathroom is equally opulent as the en suites, with its stone tiling coordinating with the deep grey paintwork and offsetting a contemporary roll-top bath. There’s also a fabulous walk-in rainfall shower, a chrome heated towel rail, a stylish wall-hung vanity basin unit with a matching mirrored cabinet above, and a back-to-wall toilet. 

The Wild Beyond

Open the bifold doors onto the stone terrace to be instantly transported from the cosy farmhouse into an expansive landscape. Breathe in a lungful of fresh country air before following the path to discover a fairy-tale sunken garden created by a local artisan using reclaimed stone that matches the farmhouse's character. You can take in the long valley views and spot wild deer from here. The installed lighting and sockets allow you to spend evenings by the firepit or stargaze over the moors at night. 

The well-maintained lawn and terrace continue around the side and rear to soak up every ounce of scenery. Colourful shrub borders bring texture and interest, but you’ll also discover a small orchard of fruit trees, including plum, pear, cherry, apple, and damson, providing lovely blossoms in the spring and fruits later in the year.

The generous, low-maintenance grounds are spacious enough to host the largest gatherings of family and friends, yet still perfect for couples, growing families, and casual entertaining. The fields around Lowerfold are sheltered, sunny slopes where the old Kearns Mill (now Kearns Village) once pegged out woven cloth to dry, and farmers brought sheep off the moors for shelter. Even today, a local farmer brings sheep to lamb in the field in front of the house—so keep your eyes peeled in spring.

Out & About

Cowpe is a hamlet in Rossendale in the South Pennines near Rawtenstall, Bacup, and Waterfoot. Renowned for its scenery, it is home to an active community hall running various groups and clubs, a recreation ground, and a Christmas tree farm. 

Cowpe Reservoir has footpaths to the moors and is popular with walkers, fishing enthusiasts, and mountain bikers. Various paths connect the house directly to the Pennine Bridleway and the Mary Towneley Loop. From the back door, you can head out to the valley behind Cowpe Reservoir for views across the Rossendale Valley and over to Pendle Hill and the Ribble Valley.

Just down the road in the historic mill town of Waterfoot, you’ll find a scattering of shops and eateries, a Co-op, a petrol station, and a medical practice. Waterfoot Primary School and Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School are also both just a five-minute drive. 

The area’s largest centre is Rawtenstall – a buzzing market town with a heritage railway. Here, independent shops and boutiques, delis, cafés, and restaurants line the cobbled streets, but there’s also a good range of major supermarkets/discount chains and an M&S Food Hall at the nearby New Hall Hey Retail Park.

You’ll discover numerous local walks and green spaces within easy reach, including Edge Lane, Ski Rossendale dry ski slope, Marl Pits Leisure Centre, Golf Kingdom and Marls Pits Garden Centre, and The Water Ski Academy at Cowm Reservoir. 

Beyond this, you’ll have plenty to do and see in the wider area. Some local cultural highlights include the Whittaker Museum & Art Gallery in Whittaker Park (with café, events, workshops, and films), the Helmshore Textile Museum, local brass bands, a Carnegie library, the Orwell Valley Sculpture Trail, and the Halo and Singing Ringing Tree Panopticons. 

Getting Around

To travel and commute around the wider region, hop onto the A56/A682 or the M66 for quick journeys to Manchester, Bury, Burnley, Accrington, Skipton, Preston, Leeds, and Bradford. National railway connections run from nearby Accrington, Entwistle, Walsden, and Bury stations, with London Euston reachable in just over two hours from Manchester Piccadilly station. In addition, buses run to Rawtenstall bus station (with direct onward links to Manchester and Burnley) every 15 minutes from Waterfoot. Manchester Airport is 45 minutes away and offers connections to many international destinations.