Beck Cottage, Grasmere, The Lake District, LA22 9RR

An amazing setting on the lower slopes of Stone Arthur with a striking backdrop and views of the dramatic skyline of the surrounding Lakeland fells, Beck Cottage possesses a discreet, secluded and unrivalled position. 

This impressive, detached house was newly built in 2020 and will appeal to those who appreciate the benefits of modern construction and a contemporary styled interior all wrapped within a traditional exterior of local stone and slate.

Beck Cottage offers high specification appointments and a carefully curated interior design with spaces that are light filled and generously proportioned. Bespoke furniture complements beautifully and is available separately, should you wish to achieve the entire look. 

The well-designed layout is practical, easy to run and a pleasure to occupy, the spacious hall has a coat cupboard and cloakroom, the elegant sitting room is large and square, and there is a hospitable dining kitchen and comprehensive utility room. To the first floor off an airy landing is the principal bedroom with an ensuite shower room, the second double bedroom also has an ensuite shower room and there are two further double bedrooms served by the family bathroom. 

Landscaped gardens adjoin open fields and have several skillfully designed seating areas to ensure that the sun and fabulous views may be thoroughly enjoyed throughout the day. In terms of parking, there is a single garage and two further private parking spaces. 

Within a small enclave of properties, set back off the road and within walking distance of Grasmere village this is a super location as it offers great accessibility for amenities, a central base for exploring the wider National Park and moreover, peace and tranquility, even on the busiest of days in the height of the season. 

Perfect as a permanent residence, as a relaxing bolt hole or as an investment with great letting potential, bespoke coordinated contents are available to provide a turnkey solution to your Lake District property search.

Location

Views, views and even more views! From both inside and out in the garden there are wonderful views direct to the fells. Looking north there are the iconic Helm Crag and equally mighty Steel Fell and to the west, Stone Arthur and Seat Sandal. Indeed, it’s on the lower slopes of Stone Arthur that Beck Cottage is comfortably nestled. The fell is actually the south western ridge of Great Rigg, but was given the status of a separate fell by Alfred Wainwright in his ‘Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells’ as it had a summit with "a short wall of rock like a ruined castle". This outcrop appears particularly impressive when viewed from Grasmere village, from where the higher fells are hidden. 

Set back off the road, Beck Cottage is set in a small cluster of individual properties, a select community which provides the security of neighbours without compromising privacy. 

The unrivalled beauty of Grasmere and the Lake District has been an inspiration to many over the centuries, established as a National Park in 1951, it covers an area of 912 square miles and in 2017 was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is famous for its lakes, mountains, forests and literary associations with former residents, William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter and John Ruskin to name but a few.  

Centrally placed, Grasmere offers great access to the fells, lakes, tarns and villages and has much to offer residents and visitors alike with a host of independent shops and galleries, a Co-op supermarket and wide choice of places for refreshments; everything from quick bites to fine dining. From the front door the village is about a mile’s drive or walk away and there’s a bus stop near the bottom of the drive. An enjoyable drive over Dunmail Raise and along the side of Thirlmere will take you to Keswick which is lovely for shopping and eating out. There is a branch of Booths supermarket there and also in Windermere. 

Whether you’re looking for rest and relaxation, quiet contemplation and inspiration or exertion and exhilaration there is something for everyone here. Striding out on the fells, cycling the lanes, wild swimming or simply pottering around the shops, the Lake District is perennially popular.

Step inside 

There’s a relaxing atmosphere to the interior of Beck Cottage, pared back and thoughtfully presented with an emphasis on quality and timeless style. It’s a tailored look that is calm, restful with a palette of gentle colours. 

The front door opens into a hall with oak boards having a blue/grey wash echoing the colours found in Lakeland stone. The hall has a light, fresh, airy feel. A coat cupboard is handy for stashing away outdoor gear and there’s a cloakroom with Villeroy and Boch wash basin and WC (as is indeed all the sanitaryware, with Mira shower trays). Under the stairs is a fitted upholstered bench with dedicated storage for coats and footwear.  

Laid with Karndean flooring, the dining kitchen is a convivial space with room for extensive cabinets, integral appliances for a seamless look, a breakfast station and raised counter with space for three or four stools, beyond which is the floor space for a good sized dining table. The aspect is straight out to the fell and provides a fascinating and every changing view of grazing sheep and cows.  

The elegant sitting room is generous in proportions, has an enviable triple aspect to welcome in natural light and commands fabulous views, especially through the French doors which draw one forward to take in the sheer scale of the mountain range. For atmosphere there’s a Clearview woodburning stove set within a stone fire surround and the oak flooring from the hall has been continued through. Completing the picture on the ground floor is a practical utility room and an inner hall where a side door opens to the garden and provides a short cut to the garage and parking. 

The sense of light and space continues to the first floor where a roomy landing provides access to four restful bedrooms, two of which are ensuite, and the family bathroom. A cupboard housing the hot water tank is useful for airing. All the bedrooms look out to the fields of Stone Arthur, completely private and only overlooked by the sheep.  

The bedroom furniture has been commissioned from BJD Bespoke Interiors, Cheshire. Some items are included in the sale, others separately available. The principal bedroom is elegantly fitted with a range of bespoke wardrobes with a central dressing table. Matching sets of bedside drawers and the headboard are available separately. The ensuite shower room has a large rainfall shower, floating wash basin and WC. An illuminated mirror fronted cabinet provides storage. The second bedroom has an open fronted wardrobe with upholstered bench and storage compartments. The upholstered headboard with integral illuminated side tables is available separately. This bedroom has the advantage of an ensuite shower room with a large rainfall shower, floating wash basin and WC.

All furniture in the third double is excluded but separately available and in the fourth and final double room, the bunk beds with integral illuminated cubby holes, outer steps and storage cupboard is all included. Should you wish, the matching desk and shelving are available separately. 

The family bathroom has both bath and a separate large rainfall shower, together with a floating wash basin and loo. The bathroom and ensuites feature chrome heated towel rails and ceramic tiled floors. 

Step outside

Gardens surround Beck Cottage and have been purposefully designed to sit comfortably within the natural landscape, to elongate the views and ensure there is no visual distraction from the splendid setting. 

Sitting out here in the garden is incredibly relaxing, surrounded by nature with fabulous views of the immediate patchwork of fields interspersed with craggy rock outcrops. Beyond the undulating fields, the fells rise sharply, ensconcing the valley and making it feel sheltered and a true haven. 

The morning sun lands on the seating area between the house and garden and is favoured spot for an outdoor breakfast as the sheep quietly graze in the adjoining field. The main garden to the north enjoys afternoon sun on the bottom terrace and evening sun on the top one, perfect for a chilled glass of your chosen tipple as you embrace the last rays of the day. 

The main garden is approached over a charming Lakeland stone bridge which crosses a small stream as it flows down to the lake. Once across, there is a striking pair of circular stone walled seating terraces, reminiscent of sheep enclosures on the upland fells, these provide definition, privacy and shelter and are both contemporaneous and deeply traditional at the same time. The higher terrace has a built-in curved slate bench, take up some cushions, light a fire pit and you’re ready to go. From up here, under the dappled shade of the oak tree, you’ll be able to enjoy the restful sound of the passing beck as it flows down through the garden. 

Within a row of three, there is a single garage, the one nearest belongs to Beck Cottage, along with two private parking spaces. The garage has internal power and light. Contemporary carriage lights provide external illumination around the house.   

Services

Mains electricity, gas, water and drainage. Gas fired central heating from an Ideal boiler in the utility room. Security alarm and two RING doorbells. 

Broadband

Standard speeds potentially available from Openreach of 27 Mbps download and for uploading 2 Mbps. 

Mobile

Indoor: EE and Vodafone are reported as providing ‘limited’ services for both Voice and Data. O2 is reported as providing ‘likely’ Voice services and ‘limited’ Data services. Three is not reported as providing any services. 

Outdoor: EE, O2 and Vodafone are all reported as providing ‘likely’ services for both Voice and Data. Three is reported as providing ‘likely’ Voice services and ‘limited’ Data services.

Broadband and mobile information provided by Ofcom.

Local Authority charges 

Westmorland and Furness Council – Council Tax band G

Tenure

Freehold 

Included in the sale 

Fitted carpets, curtains, curtain poles, blinds, light fittings and domestic appliances as follows: Novy induction hob with pop up extractor fan, a pair of ovens, combination microwave, warming drawer, fridge, freezer and dishwasher (all NEFF), Dunavox temperature-controlled wine store and a Quooker instant hot water tap. Some items in the bedrooms are included, others are available – please refer to main text. 

Most of the remaining furniture, as well as the Hotpoint washing machine and the LG tumble dryer is available by further negotiation. Many items were custom made for Beck Cottage by BJD Bespoke Interiors, Cheshire. 

Please note

The drive from the public highway is owned by a third party with Beck Cottage benefiting from full rights of access subject to a sixth share of repair and maintenance obligations. 

There is the balance of a 10 year NHBC warranty which commenced in 2019/20.  

There is a pedestrian right of way on the path in front of Meadow Brow to Beck Cottage’s front door.  

Directions 

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Use Sat Nav LA22 9RR with reference to the directions below:

Approaching Grasmere from Ambleside along the A591 at the mini roundabout proceed straight over as if heading towards Keswick. After passing The Swan on your right, take the second driveway on the right (before the Traveller’s Rest Inn), cross the cattle grid and proceed up the drive as it climbs through the field. As you near the properties, bear round to the left passing Winterseeds and around the corner. Meadow Brow is on the left with Beck Cottage tucked away at the back, adjoining the foothills of Stone Arthur. There is a row of three garages, the lefthand one belongs to Beck Cottage.