Review: Linden Barn, Orton, Cumbria, UK

Located in the Cumbrian village of Orton, Linden Barn is a beautiful three-bedroom property that has been lovingly renovated by owners Fiona and Brian, who live next door. available through countryside hideawayRefurbished in 2020, it is in an idyllic location with easy access to both the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Lake District National Park.

welcome

Linden Barn is located off a short country lane just outside Orton village centre. Access to the property was via a lockbox, details of which were communicated to us prior to arrival, making for a smooth check-in.

However, we called briefly next door as a courtesy to introduce ourselves to the owner and were met by Fiona, who was friendly and chatty. We know Pablo, a retired resident trail riding horse who can often be seen in the paddock overlooking Linden Barn, has climbed Helvellyn many times and even completed the Coast to Coast from St Bees to Robin Hood Bay I was intrigued when I heard that.

property

Upon entering the Linden Barn, the ground floor consists of an open plan kitchen, dining area and lounge to the left, a utility room to the front and a bedroom with en-suite bathroom to the right.

The kitchen diner is a very homely and sociable space, tastefully finished and fully equipped including a belling oven, induction hob, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, freestanding microwave, kettle and toaster. There are also some Lake District-themed items, including trays with sheep on them and Hardy mugs. This popular local brand shares part of its profits supporting Cumbrian communities, upland farming and the adorable Herdwick sheep.

The living area is bright and airy with plenty of natural light and can comfortably seat up to 6 adults.

There’s a wood burning stove, which attracts lots of locals, as well as underfloor heating for those cold nights and a TV for relaxing evenings.

Since we stayed in December, there was a Christmas tree decorated in the room.

The downstairs bedroom, with its king-sized bed, is equally charming, with soothing, natural tones that perfectly complement the rustic elegance of the converted country barn. A well-thought-out color palette will give your room a truly cozy atmosphere.

If you look closely at this wall, you’ll see delicate wallpaper decorated with hedgehogs, bunnies, bunnies, foxgloves, and more.

The private bathroom is clean and simple, also in natural tones, and has everything you need, including a walk-in shower, sink with anti-fog mirror, and toilet.

Finally, on the ground floor there is a utility room with washer/dryer, ironing board and drying rack. It’s the perfect space to put your muddy boots or hang your coat after a stroll through the village without blocking the hallway.

The first floor has a spacious landing with a sofa and beautiful views over the paddock.

There are two further bedrooms and a shared bathroom on this floor. One of the rooms has a king size bed with a comfortable armchair and fitted wardrobe.

The other is a twin bedroom with a rocking chair and freestanding period wardrobe.

The shared bathroom has a separate bathtub and shower, and a heated towel rack.

Toiletries are from Out of Eden, a leading supplier of hospitality products based near Kirkby Stephen.

This is a dog friendly property so I was happy to bring my 10 year old Springer Spaniel. Although the garden is fenced, dog owners should be aware that this is a rural area and there are often livestock in the surrounding fields.

place

Unlike Appleby, Kirby Stephen and Tevey, which are located on the A Road between Cumbria and the North East, Orton is set back and receives much less traffic than areas closer to Cumbria. Although it is only a short drive from both Kendal and Penrith, Oughton is located very close to the village and is also a popular stop for those walking along the coast to coast. It’s probably unlikely you’ll see visitors driving past. Walney to Wear and Whitby cycle route.

Orton is a very quiet village, often overlooked by tourists and locals alike, but it has a lot of charm and many reasons to visit. Wainwright described it as one of the most beautiful villages in Westmoreland. Not only is there a pub, village shop, cafe and chocolate factory (what else do you need?!), but you’re also within walking distance of Great Asby Scar and Gamelands Stone Circle.

Nestled between the Lake District, the North Pennines and the Yorkshire Dales, it’s no surprise that this is great walking country. A walk along the river at Lutter Force is a must-do. The village is very quiet, so as I was leisurely walking through the village, I came across a heron that seemed unfazed by being relatively close to me.

During our walk we visited the village church. A small Christmas tree exhibition was being held there, including a number of imaginative displays involving the local community.

Further afield, there are interesting places such as Shap Abbey, Ledged and Lowther Castle. We called the latter, located in a family estate dating back to the 12th century. The castle was sadly abandoned in the 1930s, but has since been restored, and you can learn all about its history at the museum before exploring the ruins and grounds.

Our visit coincided with ‘Lowther Through the Mirrors’, where numerous mirrors are strategically placed around the gardens to provide visitors with unique views of plants, trees and ruins. .

Of course, the gardens aren’t necessarily at their best in December, but it’s great to be able to stroll through the grounds any time of the year. This cafe is dog-friendly and the perfect spot to treat yourself after a meal.

Other nice touches

At Linden Barn, we were kindly greeted with a welcome basket. Inside was bread, homemade mixed fruit marmalade, Lakeland tea, lazy Sunday coffee, lemon drizzle cake, and a discount voucher for dinner at the nearby George Hotel. The refrigerator also contained wine, eggs, milk, and butter, and there were many useful extras.

Board games, books, maps, DVDs, binoculars, and cell phones (only the EE network tends to work in this area) are provided for guests. Since we visited in December, there were wreaths at the entrance, a Christmas tree in the lounge, and even the stairs were decorated with festive decorations.

cost

Out-of-season short breaks start from £728.
A full week in high season costs £1,563.

the best part

The best thing for us is that the location is off the beaten path. Orton offers incredible peace and seclusion, but is also incredibly accessible, just a 5-minute drive from both junctions 38 and 39 of the M6 ​​motorway. The towns of Kendal and Penrith are also nearby, each within a 25 minute drive.

final verdict

The Linden Barn has been lovingly remodeled and finished to a high standard with high quality fixtures and fittings. Situated in a quiet corner of an already quiet village, it offers a very homely retreat. Although available for purchase through an agent, owners Fiona and Brian have personally invested in this property, lovingly adding plenty of personal touches to provide a truly special holiday. It is clear that you are pouring

Despite its easy access from the highway, Linden Bahn is surprisingly secluded, making it a great place for a quick off-season getaway without the hassle of a long drive. It has become an ideal destination. Residents of cities such as Manchester and Liverpool can easily reach Orton on weekends, as it’s just an hour and a half away.

Disclosure: Our stay at Linden Barn was countryside hideaway.

paul johnson

Paul Johnson is the editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for over 30 years. He is a recipient of WIRED magazine’s Innovations in Travel “Best Travel Influencer” award. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been named “One of the World’s Best Travel Blogs” and “Best Luxury Travel Blog” by The Telegraph.