An impressive period property – exceptionally well appointed where the greatest attention has been paid to the very smallest of details, it is meticulously well maintained and beautifully presented with sophisticated design choices and late Victorian architectural features against a backdrop of an elegant colour palette resulting in a calm interior which flows effortlessly through this lovely rural home. The setting is quiet and elevated, nestled within a small grouping of two other residential properties and the Friends Meeting House, the views are exceptionally special – a patchwork of fields stretches out in front of the house reaching to Mewith, Ingleborough and the rolling Tatham Fells in the distance. A window on the world, the outlook is ever changing with a calendar of farming activity, the seasons and weather all ringing the changes. Step inside and Fern Bank offers front and rear vestibules, an inner staircase hall with an office and a sociable configuration of sitting, living and dining rooms and a breakfast kitchen. From the first landing you can access the main bathroom and to the second landing, principal bedroom with dressing area and ensuite shower room and three further double bedrooms. Fern Cottage is an immensely versatile attached cottage and a great asset, with an open plan living kitchen, a double bedroom and a shower room. With its own walled courtyard style garden, it’s ideal for a dependent relative, as a guest suite or for commercially letting. Fern Bank’s gardens have an enviable south east aspect, adjoin open fields and have been thoughtfully landscaped with seating areas positioned to perfectly capture the stunning views. Outside are a single garage, utility room, workshop and summer house with good parking provision. Light and well proportioned, Fern Bank conveys quality and style. Vendor Insight It was the views that initially sold Fern Bank to us. We bought the property in 2001 and it had been tenanted for years and was ready for a complete renovation, but we have always loved the character of older properties and so this gave us the opportunity to remodel the layout, extend and update it, creating the family home we wanted. This house and life here means a lot to us; it’s a very calm house, we love coming home. It’s a reluctant move but it’s now time to ‘right size’. Location Whilst not in a village itself, Fern Bank enjoys a location that benefits from local shops and services in the neighbouring villages of High and Low Bentham. There are a couple of pubs and churches in Low Bentham with High Bentham being the larger of the two settlements having a busy high street with a selection of shops including a butcher, baker, grocer and florist, fish van (on a Saturday), Co-op and Spar, Post Office and Library, infant and primary schools, a golf club and choice of pubs and cafes. The towns of Ingleton, Kirkby Lonsdale and Settle are all easily reached and add to the range of shops and amenities locally available. For a wider selection you have Lancaster, Kendal, and Skipton, depending on your preferred direction. Vendor Insight This is a wonderful place to live if you value the peacefulness and open green spaces of a country lifestyle, but equally rate excellent road and rail accessibility to maintain business and social connections. Close to the border of Cumbria, Lancashire and North Yorkshire, this is a surprisingly accessible location by road and also by rail, the stations at High Bentham and Wennington are tremendous assets, both are on the Bentham Line running between Leeds and Morecambe via Skipton with services into Lancaster (great for when teenagers are ready for a degree of independence) or venture into Leeds for a day’s shopping, concert or theatre trip. Rural it may be but isolated it certainly is not. We’ve really appreciated the quietness of this setting and location. It’s not a busy road but it gives us great accessibility, the setting is elevated and so we have amazing views and whilst we have neighbours, we are not at all overlooked and really enjoy our privacy here. Step inside Discerning purchasers will notice the details. Not only was the layout remodeled, a wraparound single storey extension was added (to create the living room, breakfast kitchen and rear vestibule) but the whole house was renovated, a project where the thoroughness has created a home of undeniable quality; part hardwood, soft wood and Upvc double glazed windows, kitchen, bathroom, shower room and cloakroom fittings are of high quality, skirting boards are deeper than usual, the ceiling cornicing are all traditional plaster moulded, the office is fitted with bespoke oak furniture, décor is softly elegant enlivened with plenty of texture from internal finishes; beveled internal glass doors, painted wall paneling, plantation style window shutters and where not carpeted, floors are laid with limestone, sandstone, tiles, engineered oak boards or Amtico. The entrance vestibule leads into the staircase hall, nestling under the stairs is a home office, imaginatively fitted to maximise the space and offer excellent storage. The dining room is central to the layout and is an atmospheric space, super for a family Sunday lunch or candlelit supper with friends, the space has been opened up to the inviting sitting room which channels the Victorian credentials of the house with a carved fire surround housing a multi-fuel stove on a slate hearth. By contrast, the bright living room has a more contemporary feel, the large window instantly draws you forward, it’s the same in the kitchen, the quality of light and outlook greatly enhancing the interior providing a constant changing backdrop to life here. The family room has a sandstone fireplace and a multi-fuel stove and double opening glazed doors through to the breakfast kitchen. Here, with classic and timeless appeal, cabinets are painted in Elephants Breathe (F&B) with chrome handles and worktops are black granite The island unit extends into a breakfast bar with a limewashed oak circular table fitted to one end. A fitted bench provides additional seating and useful storage. The double pantry cupboard and walk in broom cupboard are a storage treat and the folding glazed doors enable you to spill out to the garden terrace – perfect for dining outside. The downstairs cloakroom has a contemporary aesthetic with loo, vanity unit and additional storage with clean lines for a seamless look. The rear vestibule provides yet more clever storage solutions with room for coats, boots and shoes. A back door leads to the rear porch and idyllic courtyard style garden. A staircase with the original Victorian bannister rail leads to the first floor. You’ll first encounter a rather roomy, lovely and light family bathroom, stylish in monochrome with slate wall tiling, it embraces a traditional style with a bath, separate shower, wash basin and toilet. There’s a super view south down the valley and valuable built-in airing cupboard. The principal bedroom is an absolute joy – stretching front to back there are great views in both directions with a Juliette balcony in the dressing area, itself extensively fitted with wardrobes painted in the softest shade of grey. The ensuite is contemporary in style and will bring a touch of luxury to your day, there’s a large shower, toilet and marble topped vanity unit with a wash bowl. The second bedroom has fitted bedroom furniture and a dual aspect including a Juliette balcony to enhance the view eastwards. There are two further double bedrooms, one has a window seat and a distant view towards Mewith and Ingleborough and the other has fitted furniture and an outlook north towards the Barbon fells. The views are all encompassing and really go to enhance his desirable home. Fern Cottage Sweet as a nut, this delightful cottage has been created from the ground floor of the previous cottage and was completely remodeled and refitted in 2023. Enter through French windows straight into the open living kitchen. Thoughtful fittings make the most of the space and there is a fitted cloaks area with seat, coat and boot storage. The tasteful taupe coloured kitchen cabinets have oak worktops and extend to include a breakfast bar, the kitchen is then open to a cosy lounge area. A sliding oak door opens from here to the double bedroom which has a built-in wardrobe, the ensuite is well appointed and has a shower, vanity unit and toilet. Eminently flexible, Fern Cottage would suit a variety of uses – dependent family (older or younger), independent guest suite for visitors who would appreciate the privacy, holiday rental or as a super home office. Vendor Insight It’s a lovely house for having the family over and for entertaining friends. There’s a great circular flow inside the house and from the kitchen out to the garden. When there’s just the two of us, we tend to open the doors between the kitchen and the family room and spend our time there. The sitting room and dining room come into their own when family or friends come over. The views are incredibly special, each day and every season bringing something new. Bentham always has a big bonfire and fireworks display which we can enjoy from the comfort and warmth of our own sitting room! Step outside Arriving at Fern Bank and there is private parking for two or three cars possibly four in front of the garage. A solid oak gate then leads into the side courtyard style garden and towards the back door – your most likely daily entrance. There’s a further single parking space off the lane in front ...
