Roman soldiers in full regalia are often spotted walking past Marsh Cottage in Burgh by Sands. It's certainly a historic area but these figures are no ghosts from a long-gone era...

In fact, they're modern men looking very dated in a good cause as Marsh Cottage owner Sarah Hammond explained: "Hadrian’s Wall Trail goes through Burgh and we have a lot of walkers on the route, in spring and summer particularly.

"You often get people doing charity walks and some of them will be dressed up in full Roman costume – that’s a fairly common sight!"

Sarah moved from Carlisle 12 years because she loved the village. Her home is deceptively spacious with three reception rooms and four bedrooms which she shares with daughters Katy, six, and three-year-old Poppy.

"The house was built utilising an old coach house for the property behind us, along with some workers’ cottages, but I don’t really know much more to the history of it than that," said Sarah.

"It was extended when we bought it. Since then I haven't done a great deal to it. A new kitchen was installed and obviously the house has been decorated but no more than that really, other than putting in a multi-fuel wood burner."

The property is L-shaped with a courtyard which is a real suntrap. Inside, the tiled entrance hall leads to the living area where there is a good-size sitting room and a large living room with exposed beam, coving, log-burning stove and patio doors to the garden.

There is also a dining room with hatch through to the kitchen which is fitted with a range of units, integrated appliances and a breakfast bar. A utility area is off the kitchen.

Upstairs the master bedroom has a fantastic split-level en-suite bathroom with a roll-top bath, separate shower cubicle, cushioned flooring, a bidet and a sauna unit. A door leads to a utility room.

The four-piece family bathroom serves the other three bedrooms - two doubles with either fitted wardrobes or a rooflight with fitted blind, and a single bedroom.

Sarah, who works as an HR manager, said: "One of my favourite places in the house is the really spacious en-suite and also the living area. The living room in particular is nice as it’s a big area which is great to socialise in with family and friends. The girls use the dining room as a playroom."

Marsh Cottage has gates leading to a block-paved off-road parking area and a front lawned area with raised walled flowerbeds. The walled block-paved courtyard garden also has raised beds. Security lighting has been fitted and there is a garage and garden shed with workbench.

Burgh is near the Solway coast which is famed for its migrating birdlife and the area is known for its natural interest.

The village is also conveniently located just six miles from the centre of Carlisle and close to the northern bypass which provides a direct link to the M6 motorway for onward travel south and into the Borders. There is also good access for the beaches of west Cumbria and the Lake District National Park.

"There are walks down on to Burgh marsh where you can see the Solway," said Sarah. "We live in a lovely spacious family home in a picturesque location. Burgh is a lovely and friendly place to live and we’ve made lot of friends here.

"My daughters both go to Burgh school which is lovely and they’re very happy there. We’re hoping to stay in the village because the girls are settled and I really do love it here.

"It’s got a post office, a little tearoom and a pub, the Greyhound, which does really good food. It’s a proper village pub as well which is patronised by the locals and you can take your dog. Everyone’s welcome."

Marsh Cottage, Burgh by Sands, is for sale at £299,959 from

PFK Estate Agents, tel. 01228 558666.