High Bank House, Barbon, LA6 2LG

Bursting with original character and charm, and with an interesting potted history, High Bank House is an incredibly handsome, Grade II listed detached farmhouse dating back to c. 1700 built by a family of Yeoman farmers. This dwelling replaced an earlier building on the site with historical records linking the family going back to the early 16th Century.

Divided into two at some point and extended over time, the property continued to be occupied by successive tenant farmers over the years as well as been bought and sold by two estate owners. In 1987, High Bank House returned to private ownership and became one dwelling once more. The current owners have lived at High Bank House since 2006 and are looking to move to pastures new.

Many period features remain - the central doorway with ogee moulding, oak ceiling beams, lintels, floor boards and staircase with 'candlewick' balusters, panelled shutters, pine doors with Suffolk latches, four panelled doors, twin Georgian cupboards with curved backs either side of the fireplace (c. 1800) in the drawing room (the former firehouse), meat hooks and stone benches in the half cellar, window seats and fireplaces to three of the bedrooms.

Externally there is a semi circular projection, which at one time would have contained a bread oven, but sadly there is no evidence of this inside.

With an impressive picturesque backdrop of the Barbon Fells to the east, the property sits in an elevated, secluded rural position with stunning far reaching westerly and southerly views across open countryside and the valley beyond.

For comfortable family living, the house provides well-proportioned and sociable accommodation over three floors with an approximate gross internal area of 3351 sq ft (311.3 sq m).
We certainly recommend that you view but meanwhile let us take you on a tour...

The open fronted porch with stone benches leads into the entrance hall with half cellar. Originally two rooms, there is a welcoming, dual aspect drawing room with study having fitted bookshelves. Opposite is the sitting room which opens up to the dining room - a wonderful sociable and family friendly space. The dining room has a glazed door out to the rear courtyard and allows the light to flood in and frames the view of the fells. The kitchen is open to the apex and is fitted with a comprehensive range of base and wall units with wooden worktops, breakfast bar, Stanley range and integral appliances. The view from the kitchen is of particular note with splendid far reaching views across open countryside. There is also a practical laundry room with wet room off.

The staircase leads to a first floor landing with four double bedrooms and a house bathroom, all with splendid views. The principal bedroom with twin sash windows with seats and built-in wardrobes has a large en suite four piece bathroom with roll top bath and separate shower. Bedroom 2 has a range of fitted furniture and bedroom 3 having a built in wardrobe.

Separate enclosed staircases lead to two additional bedrooms and a shower room. Bedroom 5 (with restricted door height) is open to the apex with cruck beams dissecting the room, a range of fitted furniture and conservation skylight. Bedroom 6 is also open to the apex and has excellent under eaves storage.

Outside space
To the north, the private drive leads to an ample gravel parking area for several cars. There is a small garage, a garden store, wood store and a potting shed with power and light.

Divided into a delightful series of 'garden rooms' there is a lawned garden with deep planted beds and gravel path to the front of the house. A box hedge with rose covered pergola opens up to the main garden bordered by stone wall and adjoining open countryside with large lawns, a pond, an apple tree with bench seating, mature shrubs and trees, a gravel seating terrace and vegetable garden. There is also a works area with two wooden sheds.

To the south, there is a courtyard garden with greenhouse, to the east a second courtyard with oil tank and to the north, a gravel garden carpeted with plants. A further vegetable garden is located to the north with splendid open views.

In all, c. 0.54 acres (0.22 hectares).