AN ELEGANT apartment in a fine Lakeland residence, once the home of a Lancashire cotton mill owner, is for sale with Humberts.

With a private, sunny balcony and views of the outline familiar fells such as Coniston Old Man, Crinkle Crags and Great Gable, number 3 Elleray Bank has an elevated location at Carriage Drive, on Orrest Head.

The guide price for this stylish and immaculately decorated two-bedroom apartment is £400,000.

It offers modern fixtures and fittings, parking, a garage, and is surrounded by nearly six acres of beautiful shared grounds. Humberts say it would make the perfect lock-up-and-leave bolthole, or a permanent Lakeland home. Windermere village is just a five-minute stroll away.

The private hallway of apartment number 3 leads to an elegant living room with bright and spacious open-plan fitted kitchen. There are stunning views through the lovely bay window, and the coal-effect stove set in an ornate stone fireplace is a cosy place for a winter's evening.

The kitchen has attractive, Shaker-style cream-coloured wall and base units, with fitted appliances, illuminated contrasting worktops, splashback tiling, an extractor hood, oven and induction hob, all tastefully finished with wood-effect flooring.

Throughout the apartment are beautiful decorative ceiling mouldings. Another highlight is the extensive private balcony with its breathtaking views, a welcome place to relax after a long day's walking on the fell.

The generously sized master bedroom features built-in wardrobes, a modern en-suite shower and lovely views of the gardens. A second double bedroom also has a pleasant outlook, on two sides.

The family bathroom has been modernised to a very high standard and is fully tiled, with a wide-head shower over bath, basin and toilet.

Outside, a garage with boarded loft space above is located in the nearby block. There is ample shared parking and six acres of established, well-kept gardens with meandering pathways through woodland, with substantial trees and shrubs. Fellwalker Alfred Wainwright's beloved Orrest Head viewpoint can also be accessed directly from Elleray Bank's grounds.

Residential letting is permitted but holiday lets are prohibited, say Humberts, which keeps "a peaceful tranquil environment".

The management company holds the freehold, with each flat owner holding one share (on the residue of a 999-year lease from September 1983).

The Elleray Bank (Windermere) Flat Management Company Ltd deals with the maintenance and repair of the building's exterior, grounds and gardens, heating and lighting of shared areas, building insurance etc. The annual charge is around £2,800.

Buyers may like to know that the high-quality furniture from apartment number 2 is available by separate negotiation.

www.humberts.com, tel 015394-82692.