It was work which brought Rowena and Robin Pitt to a new area of the country ten years ago, but it was the gardens, the views and its lovely rural location with the beach nearby which attracted the couple to their home.

As SUSAN GOODSON discovered they have loved making the most of the inside of their home and its superb outdoors

For Rowena and Robin, there were many things they liked about the house they moved into.

As Robin loves gardening, the house having front and back gardens and an allotment was a great starter, then upstairs the views are beautiful.

Their love of growing vegetables and flowers and having animals they later bought a further acre of land where they have had sheep, pigs and poultry.

The property, 6 Waingate Bridge Cottages, Haverigg, is an extended traditional house with a lounge, breakfast kitchen, two double bedrooms (one en-suite) and a bathroom. Outside there are gardens, an allotment and a garage.

There is the option of buying one acre of land with landscaped gardens, flower beds, a wildlife pond and wild life area.

Friends are always surprised at how much space there is inside the couple’s house. It has just been Robin and Rowena living here, but when friends or family visit there are plenty of places inside and out for people to sit down and enjoy the area.

Friends describe the house as a bit of a Tardis and the Pitts added to it by having it extended, doubling the size of the bedroom upstairs by adding on a dormer with a great big window to make the most of the stunning views.

Robin said: "The extension meant we could put seating at one end to take in the views. All the work was carried out to a very high standard and we now have wonderful views of Coniston Old Man."

Rowena added: “The house had been renovated when we brought it and to a style I really liked and in keeping with the house itself.

“We actually use the second floor bedroom as a reception room because of the stunning views and with the seating area in it we have spent hours sitting up there.

“It has built-in eaves storage and the en-suite, but I noticed the lovely family bathroom straight away when we viewed the house.”

The bathroom faces the Lakeland Fells and has a modern period-style four-piece suite in white with silver and brass fittings. There is a free standing slipper bath and a separate shower cubicle as well as a built-in airing cupboard with shelving.

Downstairs the lounge is another relaxing room to be enjoyed.

Rowena said: “The lounge has deep recess windows because of the thick walls of the house which keep it nice and warm in winter but cool in the summer.

"It looks out over the garden with its patio area, flowers and then further to the fields.

“We put in the log burner multi fuel fire which is recessed to the chimney with exposed brick, black slate hearth and mantel ledge.

“We have spent a lot of time in our breakfast kitchen because Robin loves to cook, bake and make different soups. He does more cooking than me these days.”

Outside the allotment, on which the couple are growing a mass of flowers, came with the house and then they bought more land which is divided into three lots, all fenced and gated.

Rowena added: “The gardens are wonderful and we get so much wildlife.

“We have had a goose and a swan stay for a few days while they recuperated, but a healthy barn owl and herons visit regularly.

“We have raised our own animals – pigs and sheep, some rare breeds and plenty of poultry, including ducks and geese.

“We have enjoyed walks on the beach in Haverigg and living in this area, but we now want to move closer to our family.”

The property, 6 Waingate Bridge Cottages, Haverigg, is on the market with Corrie and Co Estate Agents for £164,500.

There is also the option of buying one acre of land for £10,000. For further details or to arrange a viewing please call the agent’s Millom office on 01229 355333 or drop into the offices at 31 Lapstone Road, Millom.