Nanny Brow was built in 1903 by the architect Francis Whitwell, who having committed his idea for his perfect house in a painting, then chose the site at Clappersgate on which to build his family home. The family were friends of Beatrix Potter and regularly met with her on Loughrigg Fell. Nanny Brow was showcased in the book “The Arts and Craft Houses of The Lake District” and named as one of the significant properties in The Lake District for the successful bid for UNESCO World Heritage Status in 2017.

Nanny Brow has been sympathetically restored by the current owners to enhance and preserve the period features: oak floors and panelling, leaded windows and carved oak fireplaces. The plasterwork ceiling friezes in the main reception room depict large flowers and plants, typical of the period, with an unusual additional frieze of small birds, frogs, rabbits and snails - most unusual for an Arts and Crafts house.

A large and sympathetic extension was added in the 1980s; the current owners have made use of the extensive accommodation to run an exclusive B&B.

The house itself sits high above the Brathay Valley. The front of the house faces South West with westerly views down the valley looking towards the head of the Langdales, with Wrynose Pass in the far distance. One side of the house faces towards Brathay Church and in the direction of Lake Windermere, while the other side faces down into the gardens and over to Ivy Crag. The crag that the house sits on is called Nanny Brow, hence the name of the property.

The main entrance hall, reception room and dining room all exude the history and style of this period, and have truly breath-taking views overlooking the Brathay Valley. The sizeable dining room gives access to the kitchen with commercial grade stainless steel fittings, which could easily be repurposed with domestic fittings. The bedrooms have been meticulously renovated, with en-suite shower or bathrooms.

The bedrooms found in the extension have the flexibility to repurpose the rooms as further reception rooms. Some of the extension bedrooms are in 'double floor' formation with a mezzanine floor for either a sitting room or bedrooms, depending on current configuration.

The extension also houses a suite with large reception room, two bedrooms, and kitchen that could be self-contained. The substantial footprint of the extension could also offer scope for re-purposing into a leisure suite or similar uses. Off the main house are two annexes, each with very flexibly arranged accommodation, and individual access.

Covenants and/or restrictions: There are restrictions/covenants listed on the Land Registry title deed, details of which will be made available by the vendors solicitors on request.

Agents Note: The majority of the property is registered at the Land Registry under title numbers CU36820, CU227557 and CU36819. There is a small area in the north east corner of the property, identified hatched on the sale plan, which is unregistered but forms part of the property. Please contact the selling agent for further information.

A five-minute drive from Ambleside on the road to Coniston, Nanny Brow sits on a hillside away from the traffic with lovely views up Brathay Valley. The location is ideal for many Lake District attractions: walking (Langdale and Coniston Fells) and cultural sites (Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage and John Ruskin’s Brantwood) are around a 15-minute drive while Lake Windermere and Ambleside are just half an hour's walk away.

Ambleside village has an excellent range of local facilities and services including inns, a primary school, shops and a cinema. Restaurants in the vicinity of Ambleside include award-winning and Michelin starred restaurants (Old Stamp House, Lake Road Kitchen, Samling, Drunken Duck, Rothay Manor). The Windermere lake ferry terminal at Waterhead Pier dates back to 1845 and today ferries can be taken to Bowness and Lakeside pier, Wray Castle and to Brockhole Visitor Centre - which features susbstantial gardens, bike hire, tree top trek, laser clay shooting and archery. There is a huge raft of outdoor activities available around Ambleside and Windermere, from abseiling and climbing to bushcraft and sailing, and of course numerous fell walks.

The stunning views from Nanny Brow look down the Langdale Valley, The Pike o’ Blisco, Harter Fell and to Wrynose Pass in the distance.

Nanny Brow is approached via a private driveway, leading to plentiful parking at the front and the side of the property. The surrounding gardens consist of a lawned area surrounded by planting of mature trees and shrubs, a stream, and mixed woodland. The land surrounding the house all belongs to The National Trust, and Nanny Brow has a private gate from the grounds to directly access this.

Fishing: Nanny Brow benefits from 96m of single bank fishing on the River Brathay.