Evaluation: 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 reside subsequent door. Out there by 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, that means we may seamlessly test 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 had been fascinated to listen to that Pablo, the retired resident path using horse who can usually 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 flooring 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 proper.

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

The residing space is brilliant and ethereal, stuffed with 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 calming 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 characteristic 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 geared up with all the pieces you want – a walk-in bathe, basin with anti-fog mirror, and WC.

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

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

On this flooring are two additional bedrooms and a shared toilet. One is residence to a different king measurement 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 tub 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.

It is a canine pleasant property so it was a pleasure to have the ability to carry our 10 12 months outdated Springer spaniel with us. The backyard is fenced however canine house owners do should be aware that it is a rural location with livestock usually 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 prone 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, usually ignored 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 certainly one 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?!), 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 should come as no shock to study that that is wonderful 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 area people.

Additional afield, different locations of curiosity embody Shap Abbey, Rheged and Lowther Citadel to call just some. We referred to 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 may study all about its historical past within the museum, earlier than exploring the ruins and grounds.

Our go to coincided with ‘Lowther through the Looking Glass’ the place plenty of mirrors had been strategically positioned across the gardens to offer guests distinctive views of the crops, bushes and ruins.

The gardens are after all 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 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 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 offered 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 perfect bit

The perfect bit for us was the solitude of the placement. Orton gives 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 commonplace, with high quality fixtures and fittings. It gives a really homely retreat in a quiet nook of an already tranquil village. Whereas accessible 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 supply a very 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 effort 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 ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED journal. Along with different awards, the weblog has additionally been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Telegraph.