Review: Linden Barn, Orton, Cumbria, UK

Nestled in the Cumbrian village of Orton is Linden Barn – a beautiful 3 bedroom property lovingly converted by owners Fiona and Brian who live next door. Available through Rural Retreats, it was refurbished in 2020 and is ideally located and within easy reach of both the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District National Parks.

Acceptance

Linden Barn is located down a short country road just a stone’s throw from the heart of Orton village. Access to the property was via a lockbox, the details of which were given to us before we arrived, meaning we could check in seamlessly.

We made a short call next door to introduce ourselves to the owners, and met Fiona who was friendly and chatty. We were delighted to learn that Pablo, the retired resident who rides the trail on horseback that can often be seen at the Linden Barn lookout, has climbed Helvelyn several times, and even completed the Coast to Coast from St. Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay.

Property

On entering Linden Barn, the ground floor has an open plan kitchen, dining and lounge to the left, a utility room to the front and a private bedroom to the right.

The kitchen diner is a very popular and friendly space, well finished and well equipped with Belling oven and induction hob, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, freestanding microrowave, kettle and toaster. There’s also a drop in Lake District-themed items such as sheep-decorated trays and Herdy mugs, from a popular local brand that shares a percentage of its profits to support Cumbrian communities, upland Fall farming and the beloved Herdwick sheep.

The living area is light and airy, filled with lots of natural light, and has comfortable seating for up to six adults.

There is a log burner and plenty of local amenities, as well as underfloor heating for those chilly nights, and a TV for bedtime.

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

The downstairs bedroom with a king-size bed is equally inviting, with muted, natural tones that perfectly complement the rustic charm of a country barn conversion. A thoughtful color palette that gives the room a really cozy feel.

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

The en suite bathroom is clean and simple, with natural tones, and is equipped with everything you need – a walk-in shower, a basin with an anti-fog mirror, and a 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 an amble around town, without blocking the hallway.

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

This property has two bedrooms and a shared bathroom. One is home to another king-sized bed with a comfortable chair and a built-in wardrobe.

The other is a bedroom with two beds with a rocking chair and a spare time 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 place so it was a pleasure to be able to bring our 10 year old Springer spaniel. The garden is fenced but dog owners need to be aware that this is a rural area with livestock often present in the surrounding fields.

Location

Unlike Appleby, Kirby Stephen and Tebay, which straddles the A roads between Cumbria and the north-east, Orton is further away and receives far less traffic than its nearby Cumbrian counterparts. And despite being a short drive from Kendal and Penrith, visitors passing through the town are unlikely to be seen in a car, as Orton is a popular Coast-to-Coast walk, in addition to its direct location. the Walney to Wear and Whitby Cycle Route.

Orton is a quiet town, often overlooked by tourists and locals alike, yet it has plenty of charm and reasons to visit. It was described by Wainwright as one of the most beautiful places in Westmorland. Not only is it home to a pub, village shop, cafe and chocolate factory (what more do you need?!), but it’s also within walking distance of the Great Asby Scar and the Gamelands Stone Circle.

Sandwiched between the Lake District, the North Pennines and the Yorkshire Dales, it will come as no surprise to hear that this is excellent walking country, and the Rutter Force river walk is well worth a visit. There is such a peace in this place that, when we walked into it, we met a queen who seemed unfazed by our intimacy.

During our walk, we visited a village church that was holding a small Christmas tree display with many creative images involving the local community.

Further afield, other places of interest include Shap Abbey, Rheged and Lowther Castle to name a few. We came to the last place, which is a family estate that dates back to the 12th century. The castle 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 was accompanied by ‘Lowther through the Looking Glass’ where many mirrors were carefully placed around the gardens to give visitors different views of the plants, trees and ruins.

The gardens aren’t at their best in December, but it’s still fun to be able to wander the grounds any time of year. And the cafe is a great, dog-friendly place to treat yourself afterwards.

Another nice touch

We were kindly greeted with a welcome hamper at Linden Barn, containing a loaf of bread, mixed fruit marmalade, Lazyland 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 plenty of thoughtful extras.

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

Costs

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

The best beat

The best thing for us was the solitude of the place. Orton offers a wonderful sense of peace and seclusion, yet at the same time is incredibly accessible and is only 5 minutes 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 decision

Linden Barn has been lovingly converted and finished to a high standard, with quality finishes and fittings. It offers homely accommodation in a quiet corner of an already tranquil village. Although available through an agency, it is clear that owners Fiona and Brian are personally invested and have poured their hearts into the property, adding many loving, personal touches to provide a truly special escape.

And the fact that Linden Barn is easily accessible from the main road, yet surprisingly remote, makes it the perfect short season 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 accessible weekend getaway.

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

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is the Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for over 30 years. He is the winner of the Innovation in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog was also voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best in luxury” by The Telegraph.