Assessment: Linden Barn, Orton, Cumbria, UK

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

The welcome

Linden Barn is situated off a brief nation lane only a stone’s throw from the guts of the village of Orton. Entry to the property was through a lockbox, the main points for which had been communicated to us upfront of our arrival, which means we may seamlessly verify ourselves in.

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

The property

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

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

The dwelling space is brilliant and ethereal, full of loads of pure mild, and with comfy 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 soothing evening in.

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

The downstairs bed room with a king measurement 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 have a look at the function wall reveals a fragile wallpaper adorned with hedgehogs, rabbits, harebells, foxgloves, and extra.

The en suite rest room is clear and easy, once more with pure tones, and geared up with the whole lot 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 terrific house to place your muddy boots or cling 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 rest room. One is residence to a different king measurement mattress with a snug armchair and a fitted wardrobe.

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

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

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

This can be a canine pleasant property so it was a pleasure to have the ability to convey our 10 yr previous Springer spaniel with us. The backyard is fenced however canine house owners do have to be conscious that it is a rural location with livestock typically current within the surrounding fields.

The placement

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 the village are maybe much less more likely to be seen in a automotive, since Orton is a well-liked stopover for walkers of the Coast to Coast, along with being instantly located on the Walney to Put on and Whitby Cycle Route.

Orton is a really tranquil village, typically neglected by each guests and locals alike, but with an abundance of appeal and loads of causes to go to.  It was described by Wainwright as one in every of Westmorland’s loveliest villages. Not solely is it residence to a pub, village store, café and chocolate manufacturing unit (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 study that that is glorious strolling nation, with the riverside stroll at Rutter Power a must-visit. Such is the tranquillity of the village that, on our leisurely stroll by 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 plenty of imaginative shows that had concerned the local people.

Additional afield, different locations of curiosity embody 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 citadel was sadly deserted within the Nineteen Thirties however has since been restored and you’ll study all about its historical past within the museum, earlier than exploring the ruins and grounds.

Our go to coincided with ‘Lowther by the Trying Glass’ the place plenty of 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 yr. And the café is a superb, dog-friendly spot to reward your self with a deal with afterwards.

Different good touches

We have been kindly greeted with a welcome hamper at Linden Barn, containing a loaf of bread, a do-it-yourself blended fruit marmalade, some Lakeland tea, Lazy Sunday espresso, a lemon drizzle cake and a reduction voucher for dinner on the close by George Resort. 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 supplied for visitor use. Since our go to was in December, the property was additionally fantastically embellished 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 fee

Quick 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 placement. Orton provides an unbelievable sense of peace and seclusion, but on the similar 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 commonplace, with high quality fixtures and fittings. It provides a really homely retreat in a quiet nook of an already tranquil village. Whereas out there by 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 offer a very particular getaway.

And the truth that Linden Barn is well accessible from the motorway, but splendidly secluded, makes it a perfect vacation spot for low season brief breaks with out the effort of lengthy hours spent driving to get there. Residents of cities reminiscent of 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.