Picture yourself descending the oak staircase on a crisp autumn morning, the scent of coffee drifting from the Aga in your country kitchen, while mist still clings to the 10 acres of woodland and paddocks that surround your 17th-century stone barn. This is the reality awaiting at Low Gale Barn in Cowan Bridge, where history, modern comfort, and the English countryside converge to create an exceptional vacation home just minutes from the Lake District National Park. Imagine waking to blackbirds singing in the beech hedges, stepping onto your private balcony with morning tea, then planning your day between a swim in your heated indoor pool, tennis on your private court, or exploring the dramatic fells and valleys that have inspired poets and artists for centuries. This is countryside living at its finest, offering international buyers a rare opportunity to own a substantial English estate with the convenience of Manchester Airport just 90 minutes away. Low Gale Barn represents more than a vacation property; it is a gateway to the outdoor adventures, cultural richness, and restorative tranquility that define Northern England's most celebrated landscapes. The conversion of this historic barn has created 660 square meters of versatile living space where original stone walls and slate roofing blend seamlessly with contemporary extensions and modern amenities. Six bedrooms accommodate extended family gatherings, while five bathrooms ensure everyone enjoys privacy and comfort during holiday stays. The property's layout flows naturally from formal entertaining spaces to cozy family zones, outdoor leisure areas to productive gardens, creating distinct experiences throughout your stay. Whether you seek a base for Lake District hiking, a retreat for creative pursuits, or an investment property with strong rental potential in one of England's premier tourist regions, this barn conversion delivers on every front. The village of Cowan Bridge sits in the Lune Valley, where Lancashire meets Cumbria and Yorkshire, placing you at the crossroads of three distinct landscapes. The Lake District National Park lies 15 minutes north, offering iconic peaks like Scafell Pike and Helvellyn, glacial lakes perfect for sailing and kayaking, and over 3,000 kilometers of footpaths threading through valleys carved by ancient ice. The Yorkshire Dales National Park stretches east, revealing limestone pavements, dramatic waterfalls at Ingleton just 6 kilometers away, and traditional market towns where weekly farmers' markets showcase local cheeses, meats, and preserves. South and west, the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty provides gentler landscapes for cycling, birdwatching, and exploring medieval villages where stone cottages line narrow lanes. Throughout the year, this location offers extraordinary variety. Spring brings bluebells carpeting your woodland by Leck Beck, while lambs dot the surrounding pastures and early hikers return to the Lake District trails. Summer transforms the region into an outdoor playground where families sail on Windermere, wild swim in tarns, attend literary festivals in Grasmere celebrating William Wordsworth, and enjoy long evenings on your terrace watching swallows hunt over the paddocks. Autumn paints the fells in copper and gold, creating ideal conditions for photography, while your greenhouses produce late tomatoes and your apple trees yield fruit for pressing. Winter brings possibility of snow dusting the highest peaks, cozy pub evenings in Kirkby Lonsdale's historic inns, and the pleasure of returning to your wood-burning stoves after bracing walks through frost-covered landscapes. The property itself is designed for the rhythms of vacation life and weekend escapes. Enter through the enclosed porch where Wellington boots and walking poles find their place after muddy rambles. The reception hall sets the tone with flagged floors and exposed beams, while the split-level sitting room with its triple aspect and wood-burning stove becomes the gathering place on cool evenings. Your home office allows remote work with views over gardens, essential for international owners managing businesses while enjoying extended stays. The open-plan dining kitchen anchors daily life, where the cream Aga radiates warmth while you prepare meals using produce from Kirkby Lonsdale's Thursday market or your own vegetable beds. Granite worktops and the central island provide ample space for cooking together, a vacation ritual that transforms simple meals into memorable experiences. The snug offers an intimate reading nook with built-in bookshelves, perfect for rainy afternoons with novels set in these very landscapes. The contemporary garden room dissolves boundaries between inside and outside, its triple aspect framing views of your tennis court and woodland, while bi-folding doors open the dining area to the southeast courtyard where morning sun illuminates breakfast gatherings. The leisure facilities elevate this from country house to resort-style retreat. Your heated indoor pool measuring 12 meters by 4 meters provides year-round swimming, with bi-folding doors opening to gardens in summer and creating a dramatic indoor-outdoor experience. The changing room, shower, and separate sauna complete this spa-like environment, while the adjacent gym or playroom serves multiple generations' needs. The hard court tennis court sits screened by mature beech hedging, accompanied by a wooden pavilion for refreshments between sets. These amenities transform holidays, allowing families to enjoy resort activities without leaving the property, particularly valuable during unpredictable British weather. The sleeping accommodation thoughtfully separates zones for privacy. The principal suite occupies a split-level space under apex ceilings, with triple aspect windows, walk-through dressing area, and four-piece en suite. Two additional bedrooms feature walk-in wardrobes and en suites, ensuring adult guests enjoy hotel-standard comfort. Bedrooms four and five incorporate creative mezzanine sleep platforms, appealing to children and creating flexible spaces for various uses. Bedroom six functions equally as guest room or study, accessible via multiple routes and opening onto a semi-circular wooden balcony where morning coffee becomes a elevated experience overlooking your estate. The grounds spanning 10.5 acres create distinct outdoor rooms for every mood and season. The southeast courtyard offers intimate seclusion with its rose garden, pond, and flagged terraces perfect for afternoon tea. Western lawns sweep toward a ha-ha, beyond which paddocks accommodate horses or simply provide uninterrupted views. The outdoor kitchen with fire pit and built-in barbecue transforms summer evenings into alfresco dining experiences, while the thatched breeze house by the wildlife pond provides a fairytale setting for contemplation. Your woodland along Leck Beck comes alive with bluebells each spring and includes fishing rights for those seeking tranquil hours by the water. The productive gardens feature two greenhouses and raised vegetable beds, allowing you to grow heritage tomatoes, salad leaves, and herbs that elevate your holiday cooking. The timber stable block and loose boxes accommodate horses if you wish to explore bridleways threading through surrounding countryside, or store equipment for whatever pursuits capture your interest. The detached oak-framed outbuilding added in 2010 provides a single garage, double carport, studio, workshop, and storage, essential infrastructure for country living. The studio could serve as artist space, home gym, or independent accommodation for older children seeking autonomy during family holidays. Kirkby Lonsdale, just 3 kilometers southwest, serves as your local hub with independent shops, cafes, and restaurants housed in Georgian buildings along its market square. The town hosts festivals throughout the year, while its Thursday market has operated since medieval times. The famous Ruskin's View over the River Lune draws photographers year-round, while Devil's Bridge provides dramatic walks along the river gorge. Larger shopping needs are met in Lancaster 20 kilometers south, a university city with castle, maritime museum, and the Dukes Theatre offering year-round performances. For international owners, accessibility proves crucial. The M6 motorway lies 8 kilometers west, connecting to Manchester Airport in 90 minutes, Liverpool John Lennon Airport in 75 minutes, and Leeds Bradford Airport in 60 minutes. The West Coast Main Line at Oxenholme, 12 kilometers north, provides direct trains to London Euston in 2 hours 40 minutes, Manchester in 90 minutes, and Edinburgh in 2 hours. This connectivity allows weekend getaways from European capitals and easy property management from abroad. The property's condition means you can begin enjoying it immediately, with recent renovations ensuring modern systems while preserving character. For international buyers unfamiliar with UK property ownership, the freehold structure provides straightforward ownership without complex arrangements. The Northern England vacation rental market shows strong demand, particularly for properties offering this combination of space, amenities, and proximity to the Lake District. Properties near national parks command premium rental rates during peak summer months and increasingly throughout the year as domestic tourism grows. Your indoor pool and tennis court differentiate this property from typical vacation rentals, justifying higher rates and attracting discerning guests. If you choose to rent during periods you are not in residence, professional management companies in Kirkby Lonsdale can handle bookings, cleaning, and maintenance, transforming your vacation home into an income-generating asset. The asking price of £2,138,250 reflects the substantial acreage, extensive buildings, leisure facilities, and prime location between three nationally designated landscapes. Comparable properties in the Lake District itself command higher prices while offering less land and privacy. Key features include: 660 square meters of living space in converted 17th-century barn with modern extensions. Six bedrooms sleeping up to 12 guests, five bathrooms including three en suites. Heated indoor swimming pool 12m x 4m with changing facilities and sauna. Hard court tennis court with pavilion, screened by mature hedging. 10.5 acres of gardens, woodland, and paddocks with fishing rights on Leck Beck. Open-plan dining kitchen with Aga, granite worktops, and access to courtyard. Contemporary garden room with bi-folding doors and views over tennis court and grounds. Two reception rooms with wood-burning stoves for cozy evenings. Detached oak-framed outbuilding with garage, studio, workshop, and storage. Timber stable block with two loose boxes for equestrian use. Two greenhouses and raised vegetable beds for productive gardening. Multiple outdoor entertaining areas including fire pit and built-in barbecue. Home office suitable for remote work during extended stays. 15 minutes to Lake District National Park, 20 minutes to Yorkshire Dales. 90 minutes to Manchester Airport, direct trains to London in under 3 hours. Low Gale Barn offers international buyers a complete English country estate experience without the isolation that often accompanies such properties. Here you gain privacy, space, and natural beauty while remaining connected to transport hubs, cultural attractions, and outdoor adventures. This is a vacation home that accommodates evolving needs across decades, from young families requiring space to run and play, through active retirement years pursuing hobbies and hosting grandchildren, to potential income generation through selective rentals. The combination of historical authenticity, modern comfort, exceptional facilities, and access to England's most celebrated landscapes creates a property that will provide joy and memories for generations. Contact Homestra today to arrange a viewing and begin imagining your life unfolding across these 10 acres where the English countryside reveals its finest qualities in every season.
