Welcome to Beechmount, Near Sawrey, Ambleside, LA22 0JD Beechmount is an impressive gentleman’s former residence built in the Arts & Crafts Movement style in the heart of the Lake District offering both a very desirable family home with the versatility and appeal of two existing self-contained holiday letting cottages in the grounds (with potential for a third), or alternatively, the option to let the various elements of the property as a whole or individually – perfect for larger house parties and gatherings of family and friends. Believed to date back to 1900, Beechmount was designed by architect Daniel Gibson (1865 – 1907) who also drew the plans for Brockhole on the shores of Windermere, now the Lake District National Park Visitor Centre. The original garden was designed by influential landscaped architect Thomas Mawson (1861 – 1933) who was prolific in the area; Gibson and Mawson collaborated on many projects locally. With period features at every turn, the house has echoes of a bygone era; on the ground floor Beechmount has an impressive reception hall, imposing drawing room, a living kitchen, dining room, playroom and sixth bedroom. To the first floor the principal bedroom has a spacious dressing room or snug/living area and an ensuite. There are two further ensuite bedrooms, two more doubles, two house bathrooms, laundry, boot room and cellars. Beechmount was originally a private house, in more recent times a B&B and currently trading as a large holiday rental, interested parties may like to look at the dedicated website for more information: ... There are two current holiday cottages; attached to the main house, cosy Potter’s Cottage offers a living kitchen, double bedroom, shower room and separate cloakroom. Across the courtyard, the Coach House provides characterful living kitchen and a double bedroom with ensuite shower room. There is a barn attached which provides garaging, with potential for other uses subject to the usual consents. Light and airy, The Summer House (not currently let out) sits within the walled garden and has a sitting room, kitchen, double bedroom and shower room. Whilst there is commercial potential here, it would also make a lovely home office or studio. Beechmount sits in a generous plot of around 0.47 acres where gardens surround the properties with established trees and shrubs, a lovely sun terrace to the south west, lawns and private parking. As a whole, Beechmount is incredibly flexible and offers an appealing package with established income and the opportunity to develop this further. Location There’s not much that hasn’t been said or written about the unrivalled beauty of the Lake District over the years. A magical and inspiring corner of north west England, the Lake District National Park was established in 1951 and covers an area of 912 square miles, to reinforce its importance in 2017 it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is famous for its lakes, mountains, forests and literary associations with former residents, William Wordsworth, John Ruskin and Beatrix Potter to name but a few. Of particular local significance to Beechmount is Beatrix Potter who in 1913 married Hawkshead solicitor William Heelis and moved to Castle Cottage which is just over the road from Beechmount. She also owned Hill Top in the village, located 5 doors down the road and now open to the public through the National Trust, and retained it after her marriage as a place to work, entertain guests and display her collections. Centrally placed, Near Sawrey lies to the east of Esthwaite Water and to the west of Windermere lake, it’s a great location for exploring the wider area whether you intend to stride out on the fells, cycle the lanes, swim the lakes or simply potter around the shops. Whilst a great place to enjoy on holiday, it’s also a fabulous place to live permanently with good schools and services available locally and day to day groceries available in Hawkshead and Ambleside with a Booths supermarket in Windermere. The characterful Tower Bank Arms (a CAMRA award winning pub, which also serves food) is a 3 minute stroll from Beechmount, with the larger Cuckoo Brow Inn approximately a 15 minute walk away. There is also a well equipped children’s playground directly opposite the property. Travelling by train? The nearest stations are at Oxenholme on the main West Coast line or at Windermere where there is a branch line. By car, drive north from Newby Bridge, south from Hawkhead or catch the car and passenger ferry which runs from Bowness straight across to Far Sawrey; the ferry is always a pleasurable experience as the views from onboard crossing open water are particularly memorable. Whether you have been visiting for decades or are relatively new to the region, the Lake District means something different to everyone, however all can agree it has timeless appeal. Beechmount itself offers a wonderful opportunity to work, rest and play in this unrivalled setting. Step inside Beechmount is both characterful and charismatic, extending a friendly welcome from the very first moment you walk up the semi-circular stone steps to the sheltered entrance, it’s spacious enough for a bench so you can sit and kick off your boots before stepping over the threshold. The reception hall sets the tone for the rest of the house, the lovely warm tones of the exposed pine floorboards, original panel doors set into reveals and brass toggle light switches. The main staircase rises from here (there’s a second one at what would have been the servants’ end of the house) with a door down to the cellar rooms. A flexible layout, currently adapted to enable the whole house to be let out for holidays but it could offer two reception rooms, a living kitchen, snug and playroom. The primary drawing room is an absolute treat, a room possibly made for Christmas, for pre-dinner drinks and for Sunday afternoon relaxation after a long walk, or indeed, a long lunch, that being said, it’s too good to save for high days and holidays, it’s a fabulous feel good room, there’s an original open fireplace, exposed pine flooring and two strikingly deep bays both a door to the garden. The inviting living kitchen offers room to cook, eat and relax; a great family space with an open fireplace and French windows leading out to the seating terrace, conveniently placed for taking food outside when the weather is conducive to dining alfresco. The kitchen cabinets offer plenty of storage and there’s good open shelving as well, the doors are painted a soft green which contrasts smartly to the black slate worktops. A sociable space, the hob is set into the peninsular unit which extends to a breakfast bar. NEFF appliances include three ovens, a coffee maker, fridge and freezer with a John Lewis dishwasher. There’s a separate dining room next door with a Lakeland slate floor, an original open fireplace, period alcove cupboard and the original servants’ bellboard. At the far end of the ground floor is a playroom, it’s from here the back stairs lead up. The deep shelved cupboard is perfect for toys, but the room would also make a lovely hobbies room or office. Adjacent is the laundry room, a good working room, it houses the boiler, washer, dryer, overflow larder fridge and tall freezer. Completing the ground floor accommodation is a room now used as the sixth double bedroom, but it would also make a good snug or office. Both this room and the adjacent bathroom have original doors with leaded glass lights in the top two panels. The bathroom suite is a more recent installation, traditionally styled with contemporary touches it complements the architectural style well. Whilst alighting the main stairs, it’s well worth taking a moment to pause and look out over the garden to the fells beyond. Reaching the first floor, the large main landing is a delightfully light room in itself, to the first floor are five bedrooms, all of them doubles. The principal bedroom is positioned at the front of the house with a walk-through dressing room, fabulous views, feature fireplace and an ensuite shower room. On the same elevation, the second bedroom has a similar fireplace, great views and a roomy ensuite shower room. The third double is at the back of the house and as such has a lovely view over the Coach House to the fields opposite. It too has the benefit of an ensuite shower room. Before the house was an exclusive holiday let it saw life a country house Bed & Breakfast establishment, these three rooms formed the guest accommodation. A door off the main landing leads to an inner passageway and it’s here that the owners had their private bedrooms; there are two double bedrooms, both with pretty bedroom fireplaces and a family bathroom with a bath, separate shower, vanity unit and loo. The hot water cylinder is sited here. Flexible to say the least, Beechmount will suit private or commercial use in well proportioned, characterful rooms with lovely surrounding views. Potter’s Cottage Set on the lower ground floor of Beechmount, this holiday cottage has been described by guests in the visitor’s book as “a wonderful place, so comfortable” and the “perfect retreat”. The living kitchen is well appointed and equipped, there’s a double bedroom, shower room and a separate cloakroom. With a separate hall, it’s ideal for guests coming to walk the hills as there is space to store coats and boots with ease. Coach House Positioned across the courtyard from Beechmount, iv...
