Evaluation: Linden Barn, Orton, Cumbria, UK

Nestled within the Cumbrian village of Orton is Linden Barn – an exquisite 3-bedroom property lovingly transformed by house owners Fiona and Brian who reside subsequent door. Obtainable by means of Rural Retreats, it was renovated in 2020 and is idyllically located with quick access to each the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District Nationwide Parks.

The welcome

Linden Barn is positioned off a brief nation lane only a stone’s throw from the guts of the village of Orton. Entry to the property was by way of a lockbox, the main points for which had been communicated to us prematurely of our arrival, which means we might seamlessly examine ourselves in.

We did nevertheless name briefly subsequent door simply as a courtesy to introduce ourselves to the house owners, and met Fiona who was pleasant and chatty. We had been fascinated to listen to that Pablo, the retired resident path driving horse who can usually be seen within the paddock that Linden Barn overlooks, has been up Helvellyn a number of instances, and even accomplished the Coast to Coast from St. Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay.

The property

Upon coming into Linden Barn, the bottom ground contains of an open plan kitchen, eating space and lounge to the left, a utility room straight forward and en suite bed room to the fitting.

The kitchen diner is a really homely and sociable house, tastefully completed and effectively outfitted with Belling oven and induction hob, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, freestanding micorowave, kettle and toaster. There’s additionally a smattering of Lake District themed gadgets akin to trays adorned with sheep and Herdy mugs, from a preferred native model that shares a proportion of its income to assist Cumbrian communities, upland fell farming and the lovable Herdwick sheep.

The dwelling space is vibrant and ethereal, crammed with loads of pure mild, and with snug seating for as much as six adults.

There’s a log burner and plentiful provide of locals, in addition to underfloor heating for these cooler nights, plus a TV for a calming night time in.

We stayed in December and so the room had been adorned with a Christmas tree.

The downstairs bed room with a king dimension mattress is equally inviting, with muted, pure tones that completely complement the country magnificence of a rustic barn conversion. It’s a considerate color palette that provides the room a very cosy atmosphere.

A better take a look at the function wall reveals a fragile wallpaper adorned with hedgehogs, rabbits, harebells, foxgloves, and extra.

The en suite toilet is clear and easy, once more with pure tones, and outfitted with all the things you want – a walk-in bathe, basin with anti-fog mirror, and WC.

Lastly on the bottom ground is the utility room, full with washer/dryer, ironing board and drying rack. It’s a fantastic house to place your muddy boots or hold up coats after an amble across the village, with out clogging up the hallway.

The primary ground has a spacious touchdown with a settee and exquisite views over the paddock.

On this ground are two additional bedrooms and a shared toilet. One is house to a different king dimension mattress with a cushty armchair and a fitted wardrobe.

The opposite is a twin-bedded room with a rocking chair and free-standing interval wardrobe.

The shared toilet has a separate bathtub and bathe, and heated towel rail.

Toiletries are from Out of Eden, a number one provider of hospitality merchandise primarily based in close by Kirkby Stephen.

It is a canine pleasant property so it was a pleasure to have the ability to deliver our 10 12 months previous Springer spaniel with us. The backyard is fenced however canine house owners do must be aware that this can be a rural location with livestock usually current within the surrounding fields.

The situation

In contrast to Appleby, Kirby Stephen and Tebay, which fall on A-roads between Cumbria and the north-east, Orton is tucked away and experiences far much less visitors than its shut Cumbrian counterparts. And regardless of being solely a brief drive from each Kendal and Penrith, guests passing by means of the village are maybe much less prone to be seen in a automotive, since Orton is a well-liked stopover for walkers of the Coast to Coast, along with being immediately located on the Walney to Put on and Whitby Cycle Route.

Orton is a really tranquil village, usually neglected by each guests and locals alike, but with an abundance of attraction and loads of causes to go to.  It was described by Wainwright as one in all Westmorland’s loveliest villages. Not solely is it house to a pub, village store, café and chocolate manufacturing facility (what extra do you want?!), however it’s additionally inside strolling distance of Nice Asby Scar and Gamelands Stone Circle.

Sandwiched between the Lake District, the North Pennines and the Yorkshire Dales, it would come as no shock to be taught that that is glorious strolling nation, with the riverside stroll at Rutter Drive a must-visit. Such is the tranquillity of the village that, on our leisurely stroll by means of it, we encountered a heron that appeared unperturbed by our comparatively shut proximity.

Throughout our stroll, we visited the village church which was holding a small Christmas tree exhibition with various imaginative shows that had concerned the area people.

Additional afield, different locations of curiosity embrace Shap Abbey, Rheged and Lowther Fortress to call just some. We known as on the latter, located on a household property that dates again to the twelfth Century. The fortress was sadly deserted within the Thirties however has since been restored and you may be taught all about its historical past within the museum, earlier than exploring the ruins and grounds.

Our go to coincided with ‘Lowther by means of the Trying Glass’ the place various mirrors had been strategically positioned across the gardens to provide guests distinctive views of the vegetation, bushes and ruins.

The gardens are in fact not essentially at their finest in December, however it’s nonetheless pretty to have the ability to stroll across the grounds at any time of 12 months. And the café is a good, dog-friendly spot to reward your self with a deal with afterwards.

Different good touches

We had been kindly greeted with a welcome hamper at Linden Barn, containing a loaf of bread, a do-it-yourself combined fruit marmalade, some Lakeland tea, Lazy Sunday espresso, a lemon drizzle cake and a reduction voucher for dinner on the close by George Lodge. There was additionally a bottle of wine, eggs, milk and butter within the fridge, so an abundance of considerate extras.

Board video games, books, maps, DVDs, binoculars and a cell phone (solely the EE community tends to work within the space) are offered for visitor use. Since our go to was in December, the property was additionally fantastically adorned with a wreath on the entrance door, a Christmas tree within the lounge and festive decorations all the way in which up the steps.

The associated fee

Brief breaks out of season begin from £728.
A full week in excessive season prices £1,563.

The most effective bit

The most effective bit for us was the solitude of the situation. Orton presents an unimaginable sense of peace and seclusion, but on the identical time is remarkably accessible and solely a 5-minute drive from each Junctions 38 and 39 of the M6 motorway. The cities of Kendal and Penrith are additionally conveniently shut, every inside a 25-minute drive.

The ultimate verdict

Linden Barn has been lovingly transformed and completed to a excessive normal, with high quality fixtures and fittings. It presents a really homely retreat in a quiet nook of an already tranquil village. Whereas out there by means of an company, it’s evident that house owners Fiona and Brian are personally invested and have poured their hearts into the property, including loads of loving, private touches to supply a very particular getaway.

And the truth that Linden Barn is well accessible from the motorway, but splendidly secluded, makes it a great vacation spot for low season quick breaks with out the effort of lengthy hours spent driving to get there. Residents of cities akin to Manchester and Liverpool can attain Orton in simply 1½ hours, making it an easily-achievable weekend away.

Dislcosure: Our keep at Linden Barn was sponsored by Rural Retreats.

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxurious Journey Weblog and has labored within the journey trade for greater than 30 years. He’s Winner of the Improvements in Journey ‘Finest Journey Influencer’ Award from WIRED journal. Along with different awards, the weblog has additionally been voted “one of many world’s finest journey blogs” and “finest for luxurious” by The Telegraph.