Barbara Graves says of her Hackthorpe house: "It’s an ideal family home and a good base if you want to be in the countryside but close to town."

The house was built by Story Homes just over 10 years ago as a luxury development.

Barbara said: "We've spent a lot of money on it. We've upgraded so much. We had a patio put in and a new boiler, and we upgraded a lot of the kitchen equipment - the oven, the hob, the dishwasher. And we bought an American fridge which I will leave.

"I also had extra units built in and the Karndean flooring, which has a 20-year guarantee, installed. It cost a fortune and we also put it down in the en-suite and bathroom. Plus the rooms have top-notch quality carpets in."

Hackthorpe has a school, village hall and a pub, the Lowther Castle. It also has stunning scenery.

Barbara was first attracted to her house by this beautiful location, with the Pennines on one side and the Cumbrian mountains on another.

"It’s also close to the Lake District National Park, literally you can walk in the national park area from the house, the woods of Lowther are the border. If you have a dog or love walking, it’s ideal. It’s also convenient for the M6 for travelling north or south."

The house has an entrance porch leading to the spacious hallway which has doors to the reception rooms, kitchen and study. There is also an inner hall with doors to cloakroom and utility room. There are four bedrooms, all with fitted furniture and the master with en-suite facilities, and a family bathroom.

Barbara said: "The kitchen is probably my favourite room, it’s massive with a beautiful outlook on to Lowther land, stone walls and it's very quiet."

The property is one of just 13 detached and semi-detached homes in the development. It has a gated and block-paved driveway at the front leading to the double garage.

Gated access at each side of the house leads to the enclosed L-shaped back garden which is also hard-landscaped for easy maintenance. The fields of the Lowther estate lie beyond, and there is access to them from the garden.

The garden has an arbour, shed and enclosure, all built by Penrith firm Lakeland Sheds. Even the cables for the satellite television are boxed in, and the barbecue has its own shed.

Barbara said: "Hackthorpe village is part of Lowther and it's a lovely community. We have a village hall and school - if you have children it’s marvellous because the school does a lot for the children.

"I have great neighbours. They're a friendly bunch and we all look out for each other - we're all known in the pub!"