Assessment: Linden Barn, Orton, Cumbria, UK

Nestled within the Cumbrian village of Orton is Linden Barn – a gorgeous 3-bedroom property lovingly transformed by house owners Fiona and Brian who stay subsequent door. Out there 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 situated off a brief nation lane only a stone’s throw from the center 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 might seamlessly examine 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 using horse who can typically 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 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 correct.

The kitchen diner is a really homely and sociable house, tastefully completed and nicely 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 equivalent to trays adorned with sheep and Herdy mugs, from a preferred native model that shares a share of its income to help Cumbrian communities, upland fell farming and the lovable Herdwick sheep.

The residing space is vibrant and ethereal, stuffed 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 measurement mattress is equally inviting, with muted, pure tones that completely complement the country class of a rustic barn conversion. It’s a considerate color palette that provides the room a really 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 lavatory is clear and easy, once more with pure tones, and outfitted with every part 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 an important house to place your muddy boots or grasp 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 delightful views over the paddock.

On this ground are two additional bedrooms and a shared lavatory. 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 lavatory 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 carry our 10 yr outdated Springer spaniel with us. The backyard is fenced however canine house owners do should be conscious that this can be a rural location with livestock typically current within the surrounding fields.

The situation

Not like 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 site 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 straight 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 allure and loads of causes to go to.  It was described by Wainwright as certainly one of Westmorland’s loveliest villages. Not solely is it residence to a pub, village store, café and chocolate manufacturing facility (what extra do you want?!), nevertheless 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 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 local people.

Additional afield, different locations of curiosity embody Shap Abbey, Rheged and Lowther Fort to call only a few. We referred to as on the latter, located on a household property that dates again to the twelfth Century. The fortress was sadly deserted within the Nineteen Thirties however has since been restored and you may study 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 Wanting Glass’ the place various mirrors had been strategically positioned across the gardens to offer guests distinctive views of the vegetation, bushes and ruins.

The gardens are in fact not essentially at their greatest in December, nevertheless it’s nonetheless pretty to have the ability to stroll across the grounds at any time of yr. And the café is a good, 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 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 supplied for visitor use. Since our go to was in December, the property was additionally superbly 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 fee

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

The very best bit

The very best bit for us was the solitude of the situation. Orton gives an unbelievable 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 gives 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 really particular getaway.

And the truth that Linden Barn is definitely accessible from the motorway, but splendidly secluded, makes it a super vacation spot for low season brief breaks with out the trouble of lengthy hours spent driving to get there. Residents of cities equivalent 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 greatest journey blogs” and “greatest for luxurious” by The Telegraph.