The Bield, Little Langdale, The Lake District, LA22 9PD

An incredibly charismatic and atmospheric Lakeland former farmhouse that oozes history, character and charm with fascinating artistic connections.

An incredibly charismatic and atmospheric Lakeland former farmhouse that oozes history, character and charm with fascinating artistic connections.

Welcome to The Bield, Little Langdale, The Lake Di

The Bield enjoys a gently elevated position nestling against the lower slopes of Lingmoor with idyllic south facing views out towards Wetherlam, the most northerly of the Coniston Fells, Black Fell and Holme Fell.

Utterly romantic in appearance, adorned with a pale pink clematis montana and climbing rose, the deeper pink lime washed elevations sit under a traditional Lakeland green slated roof (with an unusual diminishing course slated ‘swept’ valley gutter on the rear elevation) and strike a harmonious palette with the surrounding many verdant shades of green. No wonder local Lakeland artist Alfred Heaton Cooper felt inspired to capture it in a painting.

On the ground floor, The Bield offers two reception rooms, a dining kitchen, utility room, a pantry and a single garage which subject to consent offers potential to incorporate it into the living accommodation. On the first floor are three double bedrooms, a house bathroom, an ensuite shower room and a separate cloakroom. There is also an annex which offers a living kitchen, wet room and bedroom. The Bield offers immense potential for upgrading and remodeling in a sensitive manner to reflect the architectural merit and history of this delightful Lakeland property.

Outside, natural and informal gardens surround the house providing circa one acre. There are areas for parking with space for several cars.

Historical note

The Bield has an interesting history, most recently centered around Josefina de Vasconcellos (1904 – 2005) an English sculptor (furthermore, at one time the world's oldest living sculptor) who lived in Cumbria much of her working life. In 1939 she bought the house with her husband, Delmar Banner (1896 – 1983) a painter. At the time of their purchase the house had no electricity and only well-water and was often cut off by heavy snowfalls. Despite many difficulties they both were inspired in their artistic endeavours, the artwork that remains at the house and is included in the sale is testament to this.

Josefina exhibited at the Royal Academy several times and in 1948 became the first female fellow of the Royal British Society of Sculptors, she was also a founding member of the Society of Portrait Sculptors in 1953. Her sculptures feature up and down the country with many in churches and cathedrals. The National Art Gallery in Rio de Janeiro, Sheffield Art Galleries, Glasgow Art Galleries and the Civic Centre in Southampton all hold examples of her work, many of which she worked on in her Langdale studio (known as The Muller Room) and their garden.

Sculptures, paintings and furniture included in th

Importantly, there are works of art at The Bield which are included in the sale, these include a set of three carved slates in the garden, carved end supports to a slate bench at the front door and inside the house, several more carvings. These include a carved corbel of fruit and an angel’s head set over a door in the kitchen, a carved oak relief on the paneled entrance vestibule, George and the dragon are carved above the door in the principle bedroom, a carving of cherubs and a sheaf of corn are set into an arch above a truss in another bedroom and a carved stone cherub is whimsically set into the gable wall of Banner’s art studio; the carving is set in front of a small window so that it may be enjoyed from both inside the room and from the garden.

Painted by Delmar there is a panoramic mural in the main bedroom covering three walls and depicting 360 degrees of mountain scape from Glaramara and including all the Lake District fells, amazingly it was painted from memory in between 1930-1951. It is a truly stunning and evocative piece of work. Glaramara is a high point, a long ridge that stretches for over 3.5 miles from Stonethwaite in Borrowdale up to the mountain pass of Esk Hause.

Also included in the sale are two carved oak court cupboards or “kists”, a Scottish term for a chest used for storing clothes and linen. There is one in the sitting room bearing the Inscription “IIG 1714”, the second being in the kitchen inscribed “HB 1635”.

Believing that they are inextricably linked and part of the story of this historic home it is a condition of the sale that the artwork and furniture remain in The Bield.

Location

There’s not much that hasn’t been written about the Lake District. If you’re reading this then you will already know and love this magical and inspiring corner of north west England. The Lake District National Park was established in 1951 and covers an area of 912 square miles, to reinforce its importance in 2017 it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is famous for its lakes, mountains, forests and literary associations with former residents, William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter and John Ruskin amongst many others.

The Bield is situated at the very heart of the National Park and as such offers great access to all on offer.

Whether you see yourself striding out on the fells, cycling the lanes, wild swimming or simply catching your breath and enjoying the peace, quiet and solitude that this unique place brings, there is something here for everyone.

Step inside

A slate bench (with carved end pieces) sits to the side of a traditional porch with a side upright slate positioned to one side for shelter. The front door opens to an oak paneled vestibule and from there into the beamed dining kitchen with a traditional Lakeland flagged floor, panoramic view to the front and a dramatic aspect to the rear of impressive Lingmoor as it rises high above the house.

The main sitting room is instantly welcoming and very characterful offering oak wall paneling, book cases and cupboards along one wall, exposed ceiling beams, part flagged floor and a multi-fuel stove set into a slated surround with the traditional smoke hood.

To the rear of the sitting room is a utility room with a flagged floor, pot sink and wooden drainer. Off this is a shelved pantry.

Also enjoying the south facing aspect is the Muller Room, in Josefina’s days this was her studio. Light floods in from the triple aspect and four roof lights, there’s a door to the garden, ceiling rising to the apex and a wood burner. Nowadays, it makes a super snug or garden room. At the opposite end of the house to the Muller Room is the integral single garage with a door from the kitchen and double opening oak doors to the front garden. It provides excellent and accessible storage space, the boiler and hot water store currently live here as well as the water filtration system for the private supply. The view across the valley to the fells is wasted on a garage!

The light stairwell’s skylight allows light in from above and there’s an old oak mullion window on the half landing as well as oak paneled walls and a characterful carved newel post. The first floor has great character thanks to exposed roofing timbers in most rooms and some old oak doors. Needless to say, the views are even better from the ground floor. No need to close the curtains, you’re certainly not overlooked.

The principal bedroom houses the oil painted mural of the panorama from Glaramara by Delmar Banner. The fourth wall has two windows looking out across the valley which in their own way continue the Lakeland vista for real – it’s wall to wall, 360 degree Lakeland. Clematis blooms frame the view from outside, it’s a delightful sight. Whilst The Bield revels in its history it isn’t devoid of modern conveniences, this bedroom has an ensuite shower room.

There are two further double bedrooms, a bathroom and separate cloakroom. It’s at this point that the layout offers an annex although it could be remodeled (subject to consent) to flow as part of the main accommodation. Connected to the main first floor through a bedroom there is also a separate external access at the back of the house. The annex offers a dining kitchen, bedroom and wet room. Back in Josefina and Delmar’s time at The Bield, the bedroom was his painting studio.

Step outside

This setting is all about untamed nature, the surrounds, the view and the wildlife that abounds. It is therefore natural that the gardens are informal with minimal intervention by human hand above what is necessary to enable enjoyment of the space. Walking around you’ll be struck by how many places would make a great seating area – the views are unspoilt and unobscured. The garden at the back of the house is set against a backdrop of hardwood trees with the dramatic cliff face of Lingmoor rising up to meet the sky. A narrow stream winds its way down with slate slabs laid horizontally to form a no fuss bridge across, nearer the house, it goes underground. A path is present through the grass and is spotted with cow parsley and bracken, it’s left to grow to provide a habitat for the wildlife. To the side of the house a former stone and slate privy is now known as ‘The Duck House’.

The front garden is enclosed by traditional iron fencing and dry stone walls, the grass in the front garden is mown as this area of the garden is most in use and there’s a seating area flagged with Brathay Blue slate, currently home to a simple picnic bench for sitting and gazing out towards the tarn at Little Langdale and Wetherlam. The stream resurfaces and then goes below and flows away. The garden is home to three of Josefina’s statues, carved from pieces of slate they are set upright and feature holes set with hand blown red, blue and amber coloured glass. As the sun rises and passes through the pockets of glass they shed coloured shafts of light on the ground. The three stones bear an inscription each; ”The star they followed”, “Let there be light” and “The light shineth the darkness”. Unique and very special.

On the road

Ambleside 5.2 miles

Coniston 5.7 miles

Hawkshead 6.4 miles

Grasmere 9.3 miles

Windermere 9.3 miles

Oxenholme Station (West Coast line) 21.2 miles

M6 J36 24.8 miles

Kendal 17.9 miles

Manchester 92.4 miles

Manchester airport 99.2 miles

Liverpool airport 104.7 miles

The above journey distances are for approximate guidance only and have been sourced from the fastest route on the AA website from the property postcode.

Schools

Primary

Great Langdale CoE Primary School

Ambleside CoE Primary School

Hawkshead Esthwaite Primary School

Coniston CoE Primary School

Secondary

The Lakes School, Troutbeck Bridge (11 – 18 years)

John Ruskin School, Coniston (11 – 16 years)

Additionally, Windermere School is a co-educational private school (3 – 18 years) for boarding, weekly boarding and day pupils

Rail journeys

Lancaster 13 minutes

Manchester (Piccadilly) 1 hour 14 minutes

London (Euston) 2 hours 47 minutes

Edinburgh 2 hours 4 minutes

Based on approximate direct train journey times from Oxenholme train station on the main West Coast line. Train service durations vary, please check nationalrail.co.uk for further details. There is also a station at Windermere on a branch line.

Things to do in the area

Local leisure activities

Walk, hike, climb and cycle.

Wild swimming, paddle boarding, canoeing on water with boating permitted on Coniston, Bassentwaite, Windermere and Ullswater.

Places to eat

A food lovers paradise, we were spoilt for choice and you will no doubt have your own favourites, but here is a selection

Informal dining, cafes and pubs

The Three Shires Inn (Little Langdale),The Old Dungeon Ghyll (Great Langdale) The Brittania Inn, (Elterwater) The Eltermere Inn (Elterwater), Lanty Slee( Elterwater) Chesters by the River.

Fine dining restaurants

The Old Stamp House (Ambleside) The Samling and the Gilpin Hotel (Windermere), Forest Side Hotel (Grasmere)

Great walks nearby

Where do we start?

The Lake District is a network of footpaths and routes, both low level around the lakes and tarns and then rising up to the very highest peaks.

If you like a challenge then there are 214 Wainwright fells to conquer as described in Alfred Wainwright's seven-volume Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. They all lie within the boundary of the National Park and all but one (Castle Crag) are over 1,000 feet (304.8 m) in height.

Services

Mains electricity. Private water supply to the house from a Spring. The holding tank is located just behind rear boundary wall. A UV filter is installed in the garage.

Oil central heating.

Drainage to a septic tank in the front garden, shared with the house next door. Our vendor understands that the system is compliant.

Broadband

7 Mbps download speed (based on Ofcom.com results)

Local Authority charges

Westmorland and Furness Council – Council Tax band F

Tenure

Freehold

Included in the sale

Josefina’s sculptures and Delmar’s painting as described. The two carved oak court cupboards. Fitted carpets, curtains, curtain poles, blinds, light fittings and integral kitchen appliances.

Please note

The Bield is Grade II* Listed.

The attached barn is owned by The National Trust.

The drive is owned by The Bield. This is subject to 1/3 of maintenance liability with High Bield and the National Trust.

Biographical details taken from “Sculptor Josefina de Vasconcellos” by Linda Clifford.

Directions

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Use Sat Nav LA22 9PD with reference to the directions below:

From Ambleside, take the A593 and head towards Clappersagte and then follow signs for Coniston. Travel through Skelwith Bridge and turn right signposted “Wrynose, Elterwater, The Langdales”. Conitnue and pass the Three Shires Inn on the right, you’ll pass a couple of houses directly on the side of the lane and then it’s the second turning on the right, you can see The Bield from the lane, the distinctive pink walls instantly recognizable.