Situated in a peaceful rural landscape, Whiteholme is a 200-year-old traditional farmhouse with a range of possible options for the buyer, highlights including outbuildings ripe for conversion, a paddock for ponies, woodland and fishing rights.

There are also other buildings on the land, some already with planning permission for conversion to houses. Owner Ian Armstrong is open to discussion about these.

Ian and his wife Yvonne have owned the property for three years and farmed the land in that time.

He said: "We live at Shankfield Head and bought this for the land. We're farmers with beef and sheep and we've put in a new road so there is little farm traffic.

"It was always in the back of our minds to develop here as there's really only one building that's good for agriculture, and that's a little bit away from the rest.

"The house was tenanted and we've now decided to sell. It's unoccupied - someone could move straight in and live there. There's a loft next to the house which would quite easily convert into an extra bedroom with another range of buildings beneath which has potential for a house or granny flat. Taken with the loft, this could be made into accommodation for independent living."

Whiteholme has an attractive double-fronted sandstone facade and a date plaque of 1817 over the front door. Inside, the thick walls, fireplaces and original sandstone sconces in the pantry are complemented by modern fittings installed by the Armstrongs.

Ian said: "We've put a Rayburn cooker in, done the kitchen up, re-plastered and decorated throughout. There's a new shower upstairs, the bathroom has been reconfigured and as well as the new carpets, we've also put in new wooden floors.

"It's a nice house. When you look at it from the front it's really attractive. The garden was like a jungle but we cleaned it up and landscaped but it's not planted so it's a blank canvas for a new owner."

Reception rooms include a large living room and dining room which could be used as a study or fourth bedroom. There is a larder, utility room, kitchen and large entrance hall with quarry-tiled floor leading to a toilet. There is also a front entrance hall with staircase. On the first floor are three bedrooms and a bathroom.

Outbuildings include the loft, with external stone steps, which Ian thinks could be absorbed into the accommodation, a former byre, car port and workshop. A large proportion of the access lane to the property is newly cemented.

The River Lyne runs alongside the property and Whiteholme's owner has fishing rights.

"There will be sea trout and brown trout in there and salmon at the right time of the year," said Ian. "The house looks down on to the Lyne and when the leaves are off the trees, you can look across the fields and the river, it's very pleasant. The Black Lyne and the White Lyne join slightly up from the farmhouse."

His and Yvonne's grandchildren enjoy picnics at Whiteholme, in the woods or by the river, following in a leisure tradition.

"Although I haven't really looked into this, one or two people have said is that in the old days, Whiteholme used to be a meeting place for the local men. They'd get together at night and have a crack and a bottle of beer.

He thinks Whiteholme would be suitable for a range of buyers. There is a local primary school and two pubs, one a restaurant, nearby and local milk and newspaper deliveries. A wider range of amenities is available in Longtown or Brampton.

"It would suit a family, there is open space and a paddock for a pony. Or someone with a small business because there is quite a lot of room in the outbuildings for a workshop. Or it's ideal for somebody wanting an idyllic, quiet, peaceful place."

Whiteholme, Roweltown, is for sale at £280,000 from CD Rural, tel. 01228 792299.