An outstanding Lake District Edwardian property in a stunning natural setting is on the market.
Inviting offers of over £2.5million, The Leathes Head in the Borrowdale valley occupies a site of 2.7 acres with spectacular views to the majestic surrounding fells and to Derwentwater.
Nick Elgey from Hackney and Leigh which is managing the site said: "Iconic properties of this type and appeal rarely come on to the market.
"The beautifully landscaped grounds, setting and views are breathtaking.
“Prospective buyers have the option of either continuing the existing use of the property as a prestigious country house hotel or implementing the current planning consent to create a fine principal home and earn considerable rental income from developing the additional accommodation for lucrative holiday letting, in an area where rental demand is typically sustained all year round.”
The Leathes Head is located less than five miles from Keswick, with the village of Grange just a short walk away.
It currently operates as a successful, award-winning, 11-bedroom country house hotel, which was included in the 2021 Michelin Guide and is a previous winner of Cumbria Tourism’s Small Hotel of the Year.
Planning consent exists to allow subdivision of the main front part of the building to form a five-bedroom house subject to use as a principal residence together with three rear adjoining self-contained holiday letting properties which collectively provide a total of nine bedrooms.
Highlights inside the property include impressive period features, in particular a magnificent entrance hall and staircase.
Outside there are 2.7 acres of gardens and woodland, which are a haven for wildlife, including bees, butterflies and moths, tawny owls, woodpeckers, various garden birds, and red squirrels.
It was built in 1909 as a large, elegant private house for the daughter of a wealthy Liverpool-based ship builder.
It was named after Leathes Water, one of two ‘lakes’ submerged when Thirlmere was created around 1894. The Leathes family lived in the Thirlmere valley.
The first owner, ship-builder’s daughter Miss Edith Fellon, lived there until 1938 at which time she granted adjacent land to the National Trust. When she died two years later, she left substantial donations to many charities and various sea-related institutions.
The layout of the original house is very similar to the layout today.
Aside from the dining room, lounge, kitchen and scullery, it included an unusual special room – ‘the knives and boots room’ - on approximately the site of the present-day hotel office.
The Leathes Head was lived in by Edith, her cousin Sarah Bromley, a maid and a cook.
In later years the property was generously extended.
To enquire further, contact Hackney and Leigh at 015395 32301.
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