…

Situated in the Cumbrian village of Orton is Linden Barn – a lovely 3-bedroom property which has been lovingly converted by owners Fiona and Brian who live next door. Available through Rural retreatsIt was refurbished in 2020 and is beautifully located with easy access to both the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District National Park.

Welcome

Linden Barn is situated on a short country lane just a stone’s throw from the heart of Orton village. Access to the property was via a lockbox, the details of which were communicated to us prior to our arrival, meaning we could check ourselves in seamlessly.

However we called briefly at the nearest door as a courtesy to introduce ourselves to the owners, and met Fiona who was friendly and chatty. We were fascinated to hear that Pablo, the retired resident trail riding horse who can often be seen in the paddock overlooking the Linden Barn, has been up Helvellyn many times, and has also completed the Coast to Coast from St Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay.

Property

Upon entering the Linden Barn, the ground floor comprises an open plan kitchen, dining area and lounge to the left, a utility room straight ahead and an en suite bedroom to the right.

The kitchen diner is a very homely and sociable space, tastefully furnished and equipped with a Belling oven and induction hob, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, freestanding microwave, kettle and toaster. Trays decorated with Lake District themed items such as lambs and Herdy mugs, from a popular local brand that shares a percentage of its profits to support Cumbrian communities, farming the land and loving Herdwick sheep.

The living area is bright and airy, filled with plenty of natural light, and has comfortable seating for six adults.

There’s a log burner and plenty of supplies for the locals, as well as underfloor heating for those chilly nights, plus a TV for a cozy night in.

We stayed in December and so the room was decorated with a Christmas tree.

The downstairs bedroom with king size bed is similarly inviting with muted, natural tones that perfectly complement the rustic elegance of the country barn conversion. It’s a thoughtful color palette that gives the room a really relaxing vibe.

A closer look at the feature wall reveals delicate wallpaper adorned with hedgehogs, rabbits, harebells, foxgloves and more.

The en suite bathroom is clean and simple, again with natural tones, and equipped with everything you need – walk-in shower, basin with anti-fog mirror and WC.

Finally on the ground floor is the utility room, complete with washer/dryer, ironing board and drying rack. It’s a great place to put your muddy boots or hang coats after a walk around the village without clogging the hallway.

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

There are two further bedrooms and a shared bathroom on this floor. Another king size bed with a comfortable armchair and fitted wardrobes is home.

The second is a double-bed room with a rocking chair and free-standing period wardrobe.

The shared bathroom has a separate bath and shower and a heated towel rail.

The toiletries are from Out of Eden, a leading supplier of hospitality products based in nearby Kirkby Stephen.

This is a dog friendly property so it was nice to be able to bring our 10 year old springer spaniel with us. The garden is fenced but dog owners need to bear in mind that this is a rural location with livestock often present in the surrounding fields.

location

Unlike Appleby, Kirby Stephen and Tabe, which lie on the A-road between Cumbria and the north-east, Orton is remote and experiences much less traffic than its nearby Cumbrian counterparts. And despite being only a short drive from both Kendal and Penrith, visitors passing through the village are less likely to be seen in cars, as Orton is a popular stopover for coastal walkers, plus it’s directly located. Volney to Wear and Whitby Cycle Route.

Orton is a very quiet village, often overlooked by both visitors and locals alike, yet with an abundance of charm and plenty of reasons to visit. It was described by Wainwright as one of the prettiest villages in Westmorland. Not only is it home to a pub, village shop, cafe and chocolate factory (what more could you want?!), but it’s also within walking distance of the Great Asby Scar and Gamelands Stone Circle.

Sandwiched between the Lake District, the North Pennines and the Yorkshire Dales, it will come as no surprise that this is excellent walking country, with the riverside walk at Rutter Force a must. Such is the tranquility of the village that, as we strolled leisurely through it, we encountered a heron who seemed unperturbed by our relatively close proximity.

During our stroll, we visited a village church that hosted a small Christmas tree display with numerous imaginative displays involving the local community.

Further afield, other places of interest include Shapp Abbey, Ragged and Lowther Castle, to name just a few. We called at the latter, located on a 12th-century family estate. The fort was sadly abandoned in the 1930s but has since been restored and you can learn all about its history in the museum before exploring the ruins and grounds.

Our visit coincided with ‘Lothar Through the Looking Glass’ where a number of mirrors were strategically placed around the garden to give visitors a unique view of the plants, trees and ruins.

Of course, the gardens aren’t necessarily at their best in December, but it’s still lovely to be able to stroll around the grounds any time of year. And the cafe is a great, dog-friendly place to reward yourself with a treat afterwards.

Another nice touch

We were greeted at Linden Barn with a welcome hamper containing a loaf of bread, homemade mixed fruit jam, some Lakeland tea, lazy Sunday coffee, lemon drizzle cake and a discount voucher for dinner at the nearby George Hotel. There was also a bottle of wine, eggs, milk and butter in the fridge, so an abundance of thoughtful extras.

Board games, books, maps, DVDs, binoculars and mobile phones (only the EE network operates in the area) are provided for guest use. As our visit was in December, the property was also beautifully decorated with garlands on the front door, a Christmas tree in the lounge and festive decorations all the way up the stairs.

expenses

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

The best bit

The best bit for us was the solitude of the location. Orton offers a wonderful sense of peace and seclusion, yet at the same time is remarkably accessible and only a 5-minute drive from both junctions 38 and 39 of the M6 ​​motorway. The towns of Kendal and Penrith are also conveniently close, each within a 25-minute drive.

final judgment

Linden Barn has been lovingly converted and finished to a high standard with quality fixtures and fittings. It offers a very homely retreat in a quiet corner of an already quiet village. Although available through an agency, it’s clear that owners Fiona and Brian are personally invested and have poured their hearts into the property, adding plenty of loving, personal touches to make for a truly special holiday.

And the fact that Linden Barn is easily accessible from the motorway, yet wonderfully secluded, makes it an ideal spot for an off-season short break without the hassle of long hours spent driving to get there. Residents of cities such as Manchester and Liverpool can reach Orton in just 1½ hours, making it an easily-accessible weekend away.

Disclosure: Our stay at Linden Barn was sponsored by Rural retreats.