As the Cumbrian town of Penrith is named one of the best places to live in 2023 by the Sunday Times, we join sellers David and Alison at their seventeenth century home to find out what makes The Mill House and Penrith so special.
Nestled between two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with the Lake District on the doorstep, it’s not hard to see why The Mill House offers an enchanting way of life in what has today been revealed as one of the best places to live in the UK.
Owners David and Alison have lived in Sockbridge, just three miles from Penrith and Lake Ullswater, for twenty-one years. The proximity to Penrith, whilst being just a stone’s throw from the Lakes, has made living at the picturesque yet entirely accessible setting of The Mill House “a real treat.”
“We have everything we need here in The Mill House and we’re a walk away from some of the best walking challenges of the Wainrights, Lakeland Fells or the western reaches of the Yorkshire Dales,” says David. “Having Penrith and all that’s to offer right on our doorstep too is simply fantastic.”
With the rolling beauty of the Lake District on your doorstep or Aira Force waterfalls nearby, it’s fair to say that living in and around Penrith offers the best of three worlds; a bustling, intimate market town, the breath of fresh air from an area of outstanding natural beauty, and transport links to most major cities.
The surrounding area boasts variety galore. David and Alison’s local village Sockbridge and Tirril is home to a welcoming 17th Century pub, whilst nearby Rheged offers independent shops and galleries as well as an IMAX cinema. Pooley Bridge, the first port of call in Ullswater is just three miles down the road. Needless to say, there’s an activity for every day of the week.
For Alison, it isn’t just about the surrounding areas, but the comfort of her happy home within it. “We will miss The Mill House’s special setting, by the river, overlooked by a wood filled with wild life. The flowers, changing with the seasons, the bird life; egrets, ducks, herons, swans and kingfisher to name but a few”
It’s a rare thing to enjoy the immediacy of nature on your doorstep, to watch history in all its minutiae unfold and evolve from your kitchen window. “I adore my kitchen and the beautiful Aga,” smiles Alison. “It’s like a little home all in one place. Even on a frosty day I can sit and enjoy the warmth of the sun flowing in, waiting for the kettle to boil or a warming supper to cook.”
With a kitchen this gorgeous, the next best thing is having somewhere local and fresh to source your food. And where better than nearby Penrith? With great independent retailers, a theatre and super cinema (the local community raised thousands to keep it open), it has it all. The thriving but close-knit community spirit drives the town, so it’s no wonder the region is becoming so desirable to young families and those looking to rest a bit easier from city life.
It may well be one of the last vestiges of a high street, with a butchers, baker and candlestick maker. Penrith boasts delis and artisanal bakeries dating back to 1793 as well as ceramics shops, clothing and even a smokery should smoked fish, cheese and hummus be your vibe. There is a vast selection of pubs, restaurants (Thai, anyone?), five-star quality family run chippie to nearby Michelin restaurants.
Luckily for David and Alison, if the local produce falls short, their 5.14 acreage won’t.
“The river that flows from Ullswater passes through our land, with salmon and trout amongst its treasures,” says David. “We are fortunate to have ½ a mile of fishing rights attached to the house too. Or for the brave, some great places for wild swimming!”
“There’s something for everyone,” concurs Alison.
It seems, at least for David and Alison, that they’ve known all along how special their home is. There are moments that mirror the history of the region they live in; while the double wooden doors believed to have originated from Lowther Castle lead to their magnificently cosy drawing room (David’s favourite room in the house), remnants of defensive towers from the 9th and 10th century surround the town of Penrith (thankfully these days the English and the Scots don’t seem to have as many skirmishes).
For those looking for something more than the fast pace of city living – where history is hidden or buried, remaining only for those who look up – places such as this seem like an enviable and tempting option. You might just find something of interest around every corner. Penrith and its surrounding towns and villages may be steeped in history but there is an appreciation to move with the times, which is possibly why the region is standing out as such an attractive place to live for so many. Moving to the country has really never been so exciting.
After all, an entire social perspective shifted over lockdown. We’ve seen a rise in people longing for stronger roots, more moneys worth, more space, and more time. In a world that seems to rush by, people want more than anything for it to slow down. The Mill House has all things in abundance. It’s a place where simple things matter, where the slowness of life is something to be cherished, where you might not have the noise and excitement of a city life, but you have all the breath and scope you long for to be happy.
“We love our home,” says Alison.
Well, when you’ve got everything you need, what’s not to love?
The Mill House | Sockbridge | Penrith | Cumbria – Guide Price £1,275,000
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