Wharton, Kirkby Stephen, CA17

Welcome Home to Furrow Green Farm, Wharton, Cumbria

At the end of a winding private track, where the landscape opens to reveal rolling fells, ancient woodland and uninterrupted views across the Upper Eden Valley, Furrow Green Farm sits in splendid isolation. A place of extraordinary peace and beauty, this remarkable smallholding extends to approximately 5.5 acres and offers a rare combination of a beautifully restored farmhouse, a successful holiday cottage, extensive traditional barns, workshops and exceptional future potential.

For over a quarter of a century, the current owners have lovingly restored, improved and nurtured this special place. Their stewardship has preserved the character of a traditional Westmorland farmstead whilst thoughtfully introducing modern comforts, renewable technologies and lifestyle enhancements that allow the property to function beautifully in the twenty-first century.

As you approach through the gates and follow the track towards the farmstead, the sense of arrival is immediate. Woodland wraps around the western and southern boundaries, whilst open pasture stretches out before the house. The surrounding countryside feels wonderfully untouched, creating an atmosphere that is increasingly difficult to find.

The farm itself is arranged around a collection of traditional stone buildings, their sandstone and limestone elevations softened by age and beautifully integrated into the surrounding landscape. A covered open-fronted barn currently provides useful storage and shelter, although it requires little imagination to picture it transformed into an outdoor entertaining space, party barn or al fresco dining pavilion, complete with views across the surrounding countryside.

The Farmhouse

The farmhouse presents with traditional limewashed elevations, complemented by sandstone detailing and period joinery that immediately hint at its heritage.

Stepping through the original entrance door, complete with its historic ironmongery, you are welcomed into a substantial stone porch where original sandstone flags sit beneath your feet. It is exactly the sort of entrance one hopes to find in a country house, providing the perfect place to leave muddy boots after a walk across the fells.

Beyond lies a generous reception hall centred around an elegant Georgian staircase. Beautifully preserved, the staircase retains its original handrail, scalloped tread detailing and graceful proportions, whilst natural light pours through a classic Georgian sash window above.

The entire ground floor benefits from underfloor heating, fed primarily via the property's renewable energy systems, ensuring exceptional comfort throughout the year.

The Kitchen & Orangery

The kitchen is undoubtedly the beating heart of the home.

Rich in character yet effortlessly practical, the room combines exposed beams, original flagstone flooring and deep-set sash windows with a thoughtfully designed contemporary kitchen. Hand-painted cabinetry sits beneath elegant stone worktops, whilst integrated Siemens appliances include an induction hob, fan-assisted ovens and fridge freezer.

A substantial breakfast island provides informal dining for four, creating the ideal setting for everything from morning coffee to family gatherings. Original working shutters frame the windows, whilst a charming built-in window seat offers the perfect place to pause and admire the views.

The kitchen also retains subtle reminders of its agricultural heritage. An original fireplace recess remains visible within the room, whilst the proportions and architectural detailing provide a constant connection to the building's past.

Three oak steps rise into what is perhaps the most captivating room within the house.

The oak-framed orangery enjoys breathtaking panoramic views across the Upper Eden Valley. From here, the landscape unfolds in spectacular fashion, with uninterrupted vistas stretching across fields, fells and distant horizons. Exposed oak beams, glazed roof sections and a wood-burning stove combine to create a space that feels connected to the landscape in every season.

Morning coffee, family celebrations, quiet evenings with a glass of wine; this is a room designed to make the most of one of the finest outlooks in the Eden Valley.

Beyond the orangery, a covered outdoor seating area provides further opportunities to enjoy the surroundings, seamlessly connecting the house to its gardens and workshop

Utility, Pantry & Everyday Living

Practical spaces are often overlooked, but at Furrow Green Farm they are every bit as impressive as the principal rooms.

The utility room provides extensive storage, additional work surfaces and a traditional Belfast-style sink.

Adjoining is one of the most remarkable surviving features of the house: the original pantry.

Rarely found intact today, the pantry retains eight original cold stone shelves, historically used to store meats, dairy produce and preserves before refrigeration existed. These remarkable stone slabs remain in situ and provide a fascinating glimpse into the building's agricultural past.

A cloakroom/WC completes this section of the house.

Reception Rooms

The snug offers a wonderfully cosy retreat. Currently utilised as a home office, it centres around a contemporary cylindrical wood-burning stove set beneath an oak lintel and would work equally well as a reading room, music room or informal sitting room.

The principal reception room is a magnificent family space.

Exposed ceiling beams span overhead, original Georgian doors remain intact and deep window seats with working shutters frame views across the surrounding countryside. The current owners have used the room as a combination of library, office and family room, demonstrating the versatility of the space.

First Floor Accommodation

Ascending the elegant Georgian staircase, the first floor offers a wonderful balance of character and comfort.

The principal bedroom enjoys a triple aspect position, capturing sunlight throughout the day. Two east-facing windows welcome the morning sun, whilst a west-facing window frames spectacular evening sunsets. Original shutters, deep window seats and oak flooring create an atmosphere of understated luxury.

An exciting addition is currently being created beyond the principal bedroom. Approximately 75% complete, this ambitious project will provide a luxury suite incorporating a dressing room, wellness area, Scandinavian sauna and bespoke en-suite bathroom. The space has been carefully designed to create a true retreat within the home and offers a new owner the opportunity to complete the vision or adapt it to their own requirements.

Four further bedrooms provide excellent accommodation for family and guests, many retaining original beams, shutters and enchanting countryside views.

The family bathroom enjoys one of the finest outlooks in the house. From the bath, views stretch across fields where lambs graze beneath the fells beyond; a wonderfully tranquil place to begin or end the day.

Technology & Sustainability

What makes Furrow Green Farm particularly impressive is the extent to which modern technology has been sensitively incorporated.

The property benefits from:

• Air source heat pump system

• Oil-fired central heating system

• Biomass boiler

• Ground floor underfloor heating with zoned thermostatic controls

• Solar photovoltaic panels

• Battery storage system capturing and storing generated electricity

• Double glazed sash windows

• Extensive insulation upgrades

• Pressurised hot water system

The result is a property that retains all the charm of a period farmhouse whilst delivering levels of efficiency and comfort rarely associated with buildings of this age.

Even on cooler days, the house remains remarkably warm, a testament to the quality of restoration and insulation undertaken by the current owners.

The Hayloft

Adjoining the farmhouse is The Hayloft, a beautifully executed barn conversion currently operating as successful holiday accommodation.

Filled with character, the accommodation includes underfloor heating, exposed stonework, original beams, vaulted ceilings, a log-burning stove and a charming mezzanine level.

The principal living space occupies the first floor, where east and west-facing windows flood the room with natural light throughout the day. A wood-burning stove forms the focal point, whilst exposed timbers create an atmosphere that perfectly balances rustic charm and modern comfort.

Whether retained as a holiday let, used for multigenerational living or incorporated back into the main residence, The Hayloft offers tremendous flexibility and income potential.

Barns & Future Potential

Perhaps most exciting of all are the traditional barns.

Substantial investment has already been undertaken, including reroofing, structural improvements and extensive restoration works.

One barn in particular offers exceptional scope for conversion, wellness facilities, entertaining, creative studios, workshops or further accommodation, subject to any necessary permissions.

The current owners had envisioned a yoga and wellness retreat, with dedicated studio space, sauna facilities and guest accommodation. Their vision remains partially realised, providing a unique opportunity for a new owner to complete and personalise the next chapter of Furrow Green Farm's story.

Gardens & Grounds

The 5.5 acres are every bit as important as the buildings themselves.

A substantial area of level pasture sits to the front of the property, ideal for livestock, equestrian pursuits or simply enjoying the space and privacy. Mature woodland wraps around the western and southern boundaries, creating shelter, wildlife habitat and a remarkable sense of seclusion.

From almost every corner of the property there are views to enjoy. Whether looking across the Upper Eden Valley, towards distant fells or through the surrounding woodland, the connection to the landscape is ever-present.

Furrow Green Farm is not simply a home; it is a lifestyle estate offering heritage, sustainability, income potential and extraordinary natural beauty. A place where generations have gathered, where memories have been made, and where the next custodian will have the opportunity to continue an exceptional story.