Broomhill, Birthwaite Road, Windermere, The Lake District, LA23 1BS

Built in the mid 1920s, impressive Broomhill is an extensive and incredibly atmospheric period house bearing authentic hallmarks of the Arts & Crafts Movement of architecture with abundant original features. Having been a well-loved family house for almost fifty years it is now ready for the next generation to shepherd it into the 21st Century and create a home for modern day living.  

The traditional layout has throwbacks to a different era when households of this size warranted a team of domestic help. Step inside through an arched entrance porch to the reception hall, off which is a coat store and cloakroom. There are two main reception rooms, a large drawing room and a formal dining room. The morning room provides space for informal dining and is adjacent to the kitchen, a small room by today’s standards but it is ably complemented by a pantry, butler’s pantry and a walk in broom cupboard. The striking staircase leads to a large gallery landing off which are four double bedrooms, a fifth single bedroom, a house bathroom, separate WC and two ensuites. The second floor attic accommodates a further room and store room. With external access, there is an outside WC, boiler and storage room, a garden store and small cellar room. 

By virtue of the mature trees within the grounds, the setting is wonderfully private and secluded. There is a detached double garage, spacious outbuilding and plentiful parking. Amounting to c.12 acres and having informal and formal areas there are lawns, ponds and a stream, shrubberies and woodland. 

Birthwaite Road is Windermere’s premier residential address, exceptionally accessible and convenient for local shops and services, connecting the village to Queen Adelaide’s Hill and public lake access at Millerground.  It also serves as an excellent base for wider Lake District exploration.

Whether you are looking for a main residence or second home, this is a fine house with immense potential for a careful and thoughtful upgrade to introduce modern comforts whilst balancing the heritage of this notable and inspiring period property.

Location

On the verdant outskirts of town and close to Bowness, for decades Birthwaite Road has been the sought after location in Windermere. Broomhill nestles in a leafy setting which affords great privacy and so, despite the proximity of two of Lakeland’s busiest tourist hotspots, it feels a world away from the hustle and bustle, inhabiting a quiet and peaceful setting. 

Straight from the door you can enjoy a leisurely stroll into either of the neighbouring towns for drinks or to dine in one of the wide selection of restaurants and bars, a trip to the cinema or theatre. Offering a great quality of life, this is a great place to live as well as visit.  

Between them, Windermere (0.5 mile) and Bowness (1.2 mile) offer an excellent range of local amenities and services with primary schools within walking distance, a choice of supermarkets (including regional favourite Booths), two Post Offices, doctors’ and dentists’ surgeries, opticians, hairdressers, barbers and vets. This is the ideal location for enjoying the wider Lake District with countless attractions and outdoor pursuits readily available as well as lots of footpaths straight from the front door. The nearest motorway access is J36 on the M6 with a main West Coast railway station at Oxenholme.  The branch line connection in Windermere itself is a short walk away. 

Setting the scene

Broomhill was built in around 1925 and was  designed by Thomas Mawson, most known as a garden designer, landscape architect and town planner. Locally, he designed many celebrated gardens including those at Brockhole, Langdale Chase, Blackwell, Holehird, Holker Hall and Graythwaite Hall. He worked nationally and internationally, including the gardens at The Peace Palace in The Hague. 

Popular around the Lake District, Broomhill is built in the style of the Arts & Crafts Movement, which emphasised craftsmanship, honest materials, functionality and being in harmony with the environment. 

This can all be seen throughout Broomhill in the use of Lakeland stone, local slate (not just on the roof, but also floor tiles in the hall and cloakroom), copper (many of the light switches are hammered copper, as is the name sign hanging in the front porch) and plentiful oak (used here to great effect in the stunning galleried staircase, internal doors, beams, skirting boards, architraves and floors in the drawing and dining rooms). The aesthetic has a friendly, informality which includes asymmetrical forms; steep slated roofs with overhanging eaves, rounded chimney stacks and handcrafted details such as the fireplaces and built-in furniture. Rich in period detail there is also the original servants’ bell board, many original windows with stays and latches as well as original ironmongery on the doors. Indicative of a long gone era are the ancillary domestic offices including a butler’s pantry, a traditional shelved  pantry and on the first floor, a housekeeper’s linen store. 

The grand tour

Under the arched entrance, into the porch and step through double oak doors into the welcoming reception hall. The main drawing room has space to gather around the open fireplace with a secondary seating arrangement at the opposite end of the room. A door leads onto the verandah which provides a sheltered seating area. The view westerly is of the garden with the fells rising above the tops of the trees. The formal dining room is the perfect setting for bringing people together around the table on high days and holidays, it enjoys the same view as the drawing room, has a rare Jotul wood burning stove and a glazed door into the back garden. Harking back to a bygone era is the butler’s pantry with cupboards for crockery and glassware and a hatch for discreet service.   The morning room is an informal dining area for everyday use with a view of the back garden, the original servants’ bell board and a gas-powered stove. Continuing into the kitchen, the fittings aren’t original and although serviceable, they will undoubtedly be part of any refurbishment plan. The kitchen has the benefit of several adjacent ancillary rooms; a traditional shelved pantry and walk in broom cupboard. The rear porch opens to outside with a handy garden WC along with a boiler room/storage room. 

A unique feature of Broomhill is the wide oak staircase. Rising from the reception hall with a half landing, it alights at the first floor and has an oak gallery along the landing. 

The spacious principal bedroom commands garden views in four directions. The view westward is panoramic with the fells rising beyond the tree tops.  The bedroom has a Jack and Jill style bathroom with a vanity wash basin, WC, the original roll top bath and a second door onto the landing. The second double bedroom is dual aspect with a small ensuite shower room and enjoys a slightly different slice of the same impressive view. Between these two bedrooms on the west facing elevation is the third double room, it has French windows to the oak balustraded balcony (the ideal place to watch the sun set), an original open fireplace and fitted alcove cupboard. Most recently, it’s been a home office and would be a lovely place to work if you’re not easily distracted with the impressive view. From the landing, a short flight of three steps leads down to the fourth double bedroom, it enjoys garden views from the triple aspect and has an original wash basin. The fifth and final bedroom on this floor is a single room, also with a wash basin. The house bathroom was refitted some time ago, but is well proportioned and has a bath, separate shower, vanity wash basin and WC. There is a further stand-alone cloakroom with WC. Completing this floor is the housekeeper’s linen store with a Belfast sink and good storage space for linens and towels. 

An enclosed staircase leads to the second floor where there is a charming attic room set into the roof space and with a wash basin. In need of refurbishment, this room has potential for a variety of uses, including a charming child’s bedroom and has an adjoining storeroom. 

Step outside

Carved squirrels sit atop the oak gates set between imposing entrance pillars. The drive gently curves through the grounds and towards the house, sweeping round in front of the house with a drop off point at the front door as it then continues round to the parking area and garage. 

The established gardens and wider grounds total c. 12 acres and create a wonderfully private setting. Within them are formal and informal areas, lawns, shrubberies and woodland. 

From the front door, a path leads round to the front of the house and the verandah which faces almost due west. With a door from the drawing room, it has external power and light and is a lovely place to sit and enjoy the garden. Above the verandah is a balcony, another great vantage point and choice spot for an evening drink as you watch the setting sun. The path continues all the way round the house, passing elevations clad with wisteria, jasmine, clematis, roses and climbing hydrangea. The main garden lies to the west with paths leading through established shrubberies of multi-coloured rhododendrons and hydrangeas – a lovely array of pinks, purples, blue and white are a sight to behold in spring. The paths lead to a circular paved heather garden from where stone steps then climb back to the lawn in front of the house.

The most formal area is a large level lawn with central pond, edged with colourful rhododendrons, azaleas, hydrangeas, maples and acers, beyond them oak, beech and birch trees. 

To the north is a lawn, a beech hedge forming the boundary between Broomhill and Nethermost House, the nearest neighbour. The distance between the two houses, the mature trees and orientation ensure that both remain private. 

There is a lightly wooded area to the east of the house through which paths meander. One runs alongside a small stream, fed from a small natural pond, the banks crammed with water and shade loving plants. Moss covered rocky outcrops create an adventure playground for children with opportunities for making dens, treasure hunts and games of hide and seek. Beyond the trees is the pedestrian access onto St Mary’s Lane, providing delightful walks up to Windermere village or down to the lake. Woodland lies to the west of the house and runs down to Rayrigg Road. There is separate vehicular access off Birthwaite Road. 

To the rear of the house, a beech hedge screens the back door, access to the cellar and bin store area. The cellar is a single room with a light, adjacent to the back door is a handy garden store. 

The detached double garage amply accommodates two cars as well as providing space at the sides and rear for workshop and storage. There is power, light and an outside tap. 

To the north of the grounds is a large, detached garden store. Whilst now a little tired, it is a valuable footprint for potential future development. 

Services

Mains electricity, gas, water and drainage. Gas fired central heating from a British Gas boiler in the boiler room. 

Mobile and broadband services

For information on broadband and mobile services at the property, we advise prospective purchasers to consult the Ofcom website: checker.ofcom.org.uk  

Local Authority charges 

Westmorland and Furness Council – Council Tax band H

Tenure

Freehold 

Included in the sale 

Fitted carpets, curtains, curtain poles, blinds, light fittings and domestic appliances as follows: NEFF gas hob, Whirlpool double oven with grill. 

Please note

The drive on the right upon entering through the main gate is owned by Broomhill, subject to a right for way for Nethermost House who have a joint responsibility for upkeep. 

Directions 

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Use Sat Nav LA23 1BS with reference to the directions below:

From our Windermere office, head towards Bowness on Windermere and turn second right onto Birthwaite Road. Broomhill is the last house on the right. Once through the gates, bear to the left.