Lord of the Borderlands

On the edge of the North Pennines AONB, this 17th-century manor home stands striking in red sandstone. 20 acres of grounds are home to a vast archery lawn, walled gardens and an ancient folly to explore. You can dine out on the patio on sunny days or don your welly boots and take a stroll through the bluebell-splashed woodlands.

Inside, the labyrinth of grand rooms will have you wondering how many nobles have trodden the wooden floors over the years, and what exactly a priest hole is (it’s a hiding place for a priest built into the principal Catholic houses in England, and this home has one). After country walks in the Pennines, it’s a delight to get a fire crackling in the huge inglenook fireplace in the main lounge. A sunny second lounge is decked out in Victorian splendour with an upright piano in the corner, and a more casual family room has French doors out to the patio. Plus, there’s a billiard room worthy of a Cluedo investigation. Breakfast in the sunny orangery, and set up for formal dinners in the medieval-style dining room with its hearth-like fireplace and rich red walls.

Themed bedrooms hark back to this home’s heyday, with four-poster beds fringed with floral curtains, original fireplaces and antique dressers. Completing the old-world feel are claw-footed tubs in some of the bathrooms.

Despite being secluded by 20 acres of grounds, an archway at the end of the drive leads to the little village of Melmerby where there’s a bakery cafe and a cosy local pub. To stock up on supplies, Penrith is just a twenty-minute drive away.

Home truths:
*Three of the bedrooms have zip-and-link beds so can be set us twins or doubles
*Your host can provide cots, high chairs and additional fold-out beds for infants and children on request
*All of the bedrooms are upstairs, so this place may not be suitable for those with limited mobility
*Your host recommends bringing wellington boots if you plan on exploring the grounds
*Although there is Wifi, it is not fast enough for remote working or business purposes
*In a fairly remote location, having a car is recommended and there is plenty of private parking at this home