Gatesgarth, Coniston

Lake District. Sleeps up to 8

Surrounded by countryside, with the Old Man of Coniston as a backdrop and with views of Coniston Water, this luxurious, contemporary, converted property has been tastefully and thoughtfully designed by award winning architects Ben Cunliffe. In 2020 Gatesgarth was awarded the prestigious prize of Best Residential Build at the Northern Design Awards, highlighting the build and design quality of the property. Using creative cutting edge design the property has been built to the highest standards and showcases local materials and craftsmen's qualities from stonework to joinery to roofing, to produce a stunning and exceptional holiday home for large families or groups and all within a 5 minute walk of the centre of Coniston, with the many pubs, shops and restaurants it has to offer. Ideal for those wanting to retreat to a peaceful rural location, but within easy reach of busier towns and local amenities, Gatesgarth is an opulent haven in the heart of the Lake District National Park. Off the main road, you will find parking for up to five vehicles with a charge point for electric cars. As you walk towards the entrance of the property, you will be amazed at the quality of the local craftsmen's stonework and the large areas of minimalist glazing in the walls, roof and particularly the front of the property, which has floor to ceiling glass so you can enjoy the glorious views towards Coniston water and allowing the natural the light to flood in. Such is the impact of this spectacular house that it was a major 6 page feature in the May 2020 edition of Cumbria Life. Entering the property, you will be met with the large and spacious kitchen/diner, with a long wooden purpose-built dining table built by local artisans and seating for eight on resin chairs made with local Herdwick sheep wool. The wall to wall and floor to ceiling sliding doors open fully onto the large, quality outdoor decking area, with the option for outdoor dining or taking a dip in the private Scandinavian wooden hot tub; all while basking in your peaceful surroundings and taking in the property's glorious rural views. Subtle lighting gives the decking an elegant touch. The unique kitchen is minimalistic and was designed, hand-built and installed by the Rusland Movement, a local Arts and Craft company based in the Lake District. Of exceptional high quality build its colourful high-end design with Decton worktops incorporates a fridge/freezer and dishwasher, which are hidden inside drawers, and also features built-in oven, microwave and even a wine cooler. The electric halogen hob is discreetly built into the island worktop, you may not even spot it upon first glance! A top quality Nespresso coffee machine and Quooker tap, which provides instant boiling water, completes the technology to provide you with the utmost convenience for that morning tea or caffeine fix. In addition, there's a separate utility room featuring a dishwasher / dryer, sink and additional fridge. The house has been built for easy wheelchair access from the car parking area to the front door and to the downstairs open plan kitchen / dining area, utility room, large decking area and 2 bedrooms, one featuring a wet / shower room suitable for wheelchair use. Please note there is no easy wheelchair access to the 1st floor. Up the uniquely designed staircase, the mezzanine-style sitting room has large wall to wall, floor to ceiling windows that make the most of the views towards Coniston, along with a choice of modern quality seating around the Smart TV and a cosy woodburning stove. There is even access to a decked balcony area where you can take a moment to yourself to absorb in your beautiful surroundings. Next door, the purposefully built TV room / snug, with a sofa and bean bags, is perfect for watching TV in private or for children to keep themselves entertained for hours. The property was built using Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) with further added insulation and double glazing throughout to provide a very thermal efficient home. In addition, to provide exceptional air quality, a heat air exchange system has been installed, along with underfloor heating and supplementary radiators in the bathrooms and living areas. The result gives the vast space a cosy and homely feel. The property has been built with the holiday maker in mind, with all 4 bedrooms being en-suite and of equal size, each immaculately designed with built-in wardrobes and furnished with high quality furniture, carpets, local artwork and seductive lighting. On each floor there is one bedroom with a super-king-size bed and a twin-bedded room that can easily be converted into a super-king. Each room has its own TVs discretely built into the wall. The first-floor bedrooms feature velux windows angled into the wall and roof angle to maximise the stunning mountain views. On the first floor the TV room has a sofa bed that can be converted to a double bed, suitable for 2 children. Each en-suite has been individually and tastefully designed with their own sink, shower, toilet and discrete lighting. On the ground floor one of the en-suites has been designed as a wet room for wheelchair access. On the first floor there's an en-suite features featuring a very inviting oval free-standing bath and shower. All are finished to an immaculate standard with high-end furniture and tiles in a modern style that suits to the house. There's also Jack and Jill access to an en-suite on each floor. Coniston village is just a short walk away, along with a small selection of cafes, restaurants and pubs, along with The Ruskin Museum, where you can learn about the extensive and important history of Coniston. Coniston Water is a short distance from the property, providing plenty of activity options for watersports enthusiasts, or simply enjoy a picnic and a lakeside afternoon stroll. A great way to explore the lake is by taking a trip on the National Trust's steam yacht gondola, a rebuilt Victorian steam-powered yacht that originally set sail in 1859. Take advantage of your national park setting and enjoy some picturesque walks, including the challenging Old Man of Coniston, a fell in the Furness Fells that stands over 2500 feet and offers views over Coniston and its lake. Further afield, Grizedale Forest is a hub of walking and cycling woodland trails, while the popular village of Ambleside is just a 15 minute drive away. A further 15 minute drive around lake Windermere you will find Bowness , where you can enjoy plenty of lakeside activities, learn more about the life of author Beatrix Potter, or enjoy browsing a range of independent shops and its selection of cafes, bakeries, bars and restaurants. Well-placed for exploring some of the Lake District's best known attractions, make Gatesgarth your luxurious base to return to each evening.

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