Higher Lee
Abbeystead, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA2 9BW
Guide Price
£1,450,000
Residential Tags: Farmhouse, Grade II, Grade II*
Property Tags: N/A
Land Tags: Paddock, Woodland
Summary Details
- First Marketed: Nov 2022
- Removed: Dec 2022
- Residential Tags: Farmhouse, Grade II, Grade II*
- Property Tags: N/A
- Land Tags: Paddock, Woodland
Situated in a peaceful and tranquil, private setting at the base of Lee Fell with a network of local footpaths from the door, Higher Lee offers an opportunity for an idyllic rural lifestyle with outbuildings, beautiful gardens and splendid south facing views and 'a miles from anywhere feel', yet remaining well-connected to road and rail links. The property also benefits from B4RN hyperfast broadband connection.
Historical note
The vendors understand that Higher Lee was rebuilt on the site of an earlier building in 1671 and was stated as an early example of a "double pile", had three storeys and paid tax on three hearths, putting it into a more prosperous class than anything on the site previously.
Believed to have changed ownership in the 1730's, the ownership later returned to the original family where it was then owned as part of their estate until 1816 when the house, along with 400 acres, was separated off and left to a young relation.
Never living there, he and his heirs in turn tenanted it out as a vaccary until it was bought by the 4th Earl of Sefton, who had bought the neighbouring sporting estate in the 1880s, and later acquired Higher Lee and its land, including Lee Fell, to add to the estate.
After the death of the 7th Earl of Sefton in 1972 and with no heirs, the house was separated off and left to his land agent, who had been living there as his family home and, this is believed to be the first time the property will have come to the open market.
Being Grade II* Listed, it is hard not to be impressed by the rich architectural details both inside and out - they add a sense of history, immense character and charm. These include ornate stone arches, possibly salvaged from the disused monastery in Abbeystead. There's sash and mullioned windows, window seats, shutters, a substantial fireplace in the drawing room, panelling to the staircase and landing, picture rails, and cast iron and stone fireplaces in three of the bedrooms to name but a few.
Let us take you on a tour...
Stone steps lead up to the side entrance and into the spacious staircase hall with cloakroom. From the hall, double doors open into the dual aspect dining room and attractive arched doors lead into the atmospheric drawing room with its stone arches, impressive fireplace and French windows lead out to the flagged terrace. The farmhouse kitchen has base units, a fitted dresser, Belfast sink, two oven Aga and pantry cupboard. Also from the hall, stone steps lead down into the cellars with two rooms, one having a central stone bench.
The attractive oak staircase with lovely tall window on half landing, which lets natural light flood in, leads to the main landing with four bedrooms off - the principal bedroom enjoying splendid views across the gardens, has a en suite bathroom. There are two further doubles, both dual aspect and a single bedroom/study. An inner landing leads to an understairs cupboard and house bathroom.
The second floor has two large attic rooms with cruck beams, currently used as bedrooms.
Outbuildings
Set across the courtyard to the north of the house is a Grade II listed two storey stone and slate building split into two.
To the east, a former cottage with gardeners' mess with fireplace, room used as a utility room and a WC. To the first floor and accessed from the rear, a tractor store with double opening doors and a separate workshop/garden store. The former cottage could (subject to planning) be converted to ancillary accommodation, as an annexe for guests or holiday makers.
To the west, a double garage with power, light, up and over door, wood and coal store and also housing the oil tank. External stone steps lead up to a games room. Open to the apex with three feature oval windows and dove cote, this is a fabulous space for entertaining.
There is also a stone and slate potting shed in the garden.
Gardens and grounds
A private driveway with flagged parking area to the front of the garage provides excellent parking for visiting family and friends.
A flagged courtyard leads to a folly with open stores/dog kennels.
Open to the public on numerous occasions in the past and enjoying far reaching southerly views, the beautiful gardens are an absolute delight and wrap around the house with lawns, well-stocked herbaceous borders, mature trees, croquet lawn, ornamental stream with stone bridge, willow maze and a 'fairy house' in the trunk of an old tree stump. From the lower lawn, a central flight of stone steps leads through a wooden gate with attractive stone piers onto a south facing, flagged seating terrace. To the western boundary there's a bank of woodland with the River Grizedale running through.
To the north of Higher Lee, is a paddock c. 3.87 acres (1.56 hectares), currently grazed by a local farmer - ideal for a few sheep, chickens or a pony.
In all c 5.9 acres (2.39 hectares).
Marketed by: Davis & Bowring, Kirkby Lonsdale
Historical note
The vendors understand that Higher Lee was rebuilt on the site of an earlier building in 1671 and was stated as an early example of a "double pile", had three storeys and paid tax on three hearths, putting it into a more prosperous class than anything on the site previously.
Believed to have changed ownership in the 1730's, the ownership later returned to the original family where it was then owned as part of their estate until 1816 when the house, along with 400 acres, was separated off and left to a young relation.
Never living there, he and his heirs in turn tenanted it out as a vaccary until it was bought by the 4th Earl of Sefton, who had bought the neighbouring sporting estate in the 1880s, and later acquired Higher Lee and its land, including Lee Fell, to add to the estate.
After the death of the 7th Earl of Sefton in 1972 and with no heirs, the house was separated off and left to his land agent, who had been living there as his family home and, this is believed to be the first time the property will have come to the open market.
Being Grade II* Listed, it is hard not to be impressed by the rich architectural details both inside and out - they add a sense of history, immense character and charm. These include ornate stone arches, possibly salvaged from the disused monastery in Abbeystead. There's sash and mullioned windows, window seats, shutters, a substantial fireplace in the drawing room, panelling to the staircase and landing, picture rails, and cast iron and stone fireplaces in three of the bedrooms to name but a few.
Let us take you on a tour...
Stone steps lead up to the side entrance and into the spacious staircase hall with cloakroom. From the hall, double doors open into the dual aspect dining room and attractive arched doors lead into the atmospheric drawing room with its stone arches, impressive fireplace and French windows lead out to the flagged terrace. The farmhouse kitchen has base units, a fitted dresser, Belfast sink, two oven Aga and pantry cupboard. Also from the hall, stone steps lead down into the cellars with two rooms, one having a central stone bench.
The attractive oak staircase with lovely tall window on half landing, which lets natural light flood in, leads to the main landing with four bedrooms off - the principal bedroom enjoying splendid views across the gardens, has a en suite bathroom. There are two further doubles, both dual aspect and a single bedroom/study. An inner landing leads to an understairs cupboard and house bathroom.
The second floor has two large attic rooms with cruck beams, currently used as bedrooms.
Outbuildings
Set across the courtyard to the north of the house is a Grade II listed two storey stone and slate building split into two.
To the east, a former cottage with gardeners' mess with fireplace, room used as a utility room and a WC. To the first floor and accessed from the rear, a tractor store with double opening doors and a separate workshop/garden store. The former cottage could (subject to planning) be converted to ancillary accommodation, as an annexe for guests or holiday makers.
To the west, a double garage with power, light, up and over door, wood and coal store and also housing the oil tank. External stone steps lead up to a games room. Open to the apex with three feature oval windows and dove cote, this is a fabulous space for entertaining.
There is also a stone and slate potting shed in the garden.
Gardens and grounds
A private driveway with flagged parking area to the front of the garage provides excellent parking for visiting family and friends.
A flagged courtyard leads to a folly with open stores/dog kennels.
Open to the public on numerous occasions in the past and enjoying far reaching southerly views, the beautiful gardens are an absolute delight and wrap around the house with lawns, well-stocked herbaceous borders, mature trees, croquet lawn, ornamental stream with stone bridge, willow maze and a 'fairy house' in the trunk of an old tree stump. From the lower lawn, a central flight of stone steps leads through a wooden gate with attractive stone piers onto a south facing, flagged seating terrace. To the western boundary there's a bank of woodland with the River Grizedale running through.
To the north of Higher Lee, is a paddock c. 3.87 acres (1.56 hectares), currently grazed by a local farmer - ideal for a few sheep, chickens or a pony.
In all c 5.9 acres (2.39 hectares).
Marketed by: Davis & Bowring, Kirkby Lonsdale
Land Registry Data
- No historical data found.