Plum Tree Cottage, Brigsteer, Cumbria

Picture-pretty Plum Tree Cottage sits in Brigsteer, a bucolic village in the Lake District National Park. Nestled on an elevated plot in the village, the two-bedroom home has an idyllic garden complete with a trickling stream and a large garden studio. Brigsteer is wonderfully located for an abundance of hiking trails and beautiful lakeside walks. 15 minutes' drive away, Kendal is a bustling market town with mainline train services and convenient amenities.

Setting the Scene

England's largest National Park, the Lake District is now a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is home to Scafell Pike, the county's highest mountain, and Wastwater, its deepest lake. It has been the source of much artistic inspiration: William Wordsworth, who lived in Dove Cottage in Grasmere, described his home as “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found".

Built in 1871, this cottage lies in Brigsteer, a peaceful village to the east of Lake Windermere and Coniston Water. Inside is a picture of comfortable countryside living: a curated selection of rich paint colours has been used throughout, from tomato red to soothing blue and sunshine ochre.

The Grand Tour

Tucked down a quiet country road, the house's white-painted stone and blue-framed windows sit adjacent to a front garden that blooms with vibrant plantings. A wrought-iron gate painted the same sky-blue hue leads to a path. This, in turn guides to the front door, which is conveniently set beneath a shielding canopy.

Entry is to a smart hallway that bisects the ground-floor living spaces. A sitting room lies on the left, with impressive original flagstones underfoot. A wood-burning stove provides a warming centre point, with tall fitted cupboards slotted into either alcove. White-painted, the room's joinery offers a subtle contrast to its mink Farrow and Ball-washed walls.

The open-plan dining room and kitchen lies to the right of the entrance hallway. On one end is a second log-burning fire, with plenty of space in front for a generous dining table and plenty of chairs. Windows wrap three sides of the room, drawing in light to every corner; one, a tall shuttered sash, has a romantic window seat beneath.

Occupying the opposite end, the kitchen is an elegant pairing of green-painted units and a generous timber countertop that provides plenty of space for preparing a winter's feast. A range sits centrally, and there is a deep sink, hung dish rack and cleverly concealed fridge/freezer. A splash-back has been formed of unique reclaimed tiles, lending endless visual interest. A door to the porch (and garden) sits adjacent and has a beautiful period stained-glass window.

There are two peaceful bedrooms on the first floor, both with dual-aspect windows The main bedroom adopts a serene, largely white scheme, interrupted only by a green-painted panelled wall. Meanwhile, the second bedroom's blue hues recall the blue used on the house's windows. There is a third bedroom on the attic level, set beneath the embracing pitch of the roofline.

A first-floor bathroom serves each of the rooms. Its panelled and carved walls have been painted a cheery red shade - 'Bamboozle' by Farrow & Ball - that rings in the daylight. Fittings include a bath with a shower fitted overhead.

The Great Outdoors

Plum Tree Cottage's gardens have been lovingly tended by obsessive and eclectic gardeners for over 30 years. As a result, they include a wide variety of plants from the exotic to the local: Gunnera Maxima, hanging yellow marigolds, angelicas, sanguisorba and lily martagon to name a few.

Established vegetable beds have turned over peas, beans, onions, potatoes, garlic, lettuce and kale. A kitchen herb garden contains chives, oregano, thyme and rosemary,

A brick path meanders across its lawn, which has plenty of picnicking potential. There is a brick outhouse with power sockets, a potting shed and a hand-built greenhouse. There is also a large garden studio, with decking and a timber hot tub that can be fired by wood or solar panels.

Out and About

Brigsteer sits on the easterly side of the Lake District National Park and is, as such, a brilliant foothold for exploring its breathtakingly diverse landscape.

Just under 594,000 acres, the National Park makes up fells, lakes, mountains and hills, and comprises a great number of characterful villages and towns. Coniston Water and Lake Windermere are easily reached, along with Scafell Pike.

The Lake District National Park also encompasses a number of historic buildings, many under the guardianship of the National Trust; examples include Sizergh Castle, an eight-minute drive from the house, Fell Foot and Wray Castle. Dove Cottage - William Wordsworth's house in the idyllic Grasmere - is around a 40-minute drive away.

Market town Kendal is around 15 minutes' drive from Plum Tree Cottage. There are plenty of atmospheric pubs, including Ye Old Fleece Inn, Kendal's oldest surviving inn, and The Factory Tap. There are outposts of several major supermarkets here, along with a Booths.

There are plenty of well-regarded restaurants outside of the town centre too, but within easy reach of the house: The Punch Bowl Inn is a 17th-century inn that serves local beers and hearty pub grub, while Gilpin Spice serves delicious pan-Asian cuisine. Famously known for it's sticky toffee puddings, the nearby village of Cartmel is home to Michelin star restaurant L'enclume.

There are plenty of schools near Brigsteer, including Crosthwaite CofE School. Private options include Windermere School and Sedbergh School.

Kendal train station runs services north to Windermere and south to Manchester. Oxenholme station is a 16-minute drive from the house and runs services to London in under three hours. Road connections are excellent, with the A6 and M6 easily reached.

Council Tax Band: E