AN IDYLLIC country cottage, once home to Sedgwick village's school master, has come onto the market for £335,000.

Old School House is a semi-detached stone-and-slate built property, with rustic beamed ceilings, pretty gardens and an abundance of character - "an absolute gem" according to the agents, Michael CL Hodgson.

Highlights include the spacious, beautifully decorated living room with wood-burning stove; good-sized country-style dining kitchen; three bedrooms; and a detached garage and off-road driveway parking.

The property has played its part in Sedgwick's history, being converted from two former cottages, one being the school master's house, the other being home to his assistant.

It offers spacious and attractive family living space, with a charming pitched slate-roof porch setting the scene.

The living room manages to be spacious yet cosy, thanks to its fireplace with wooden lintel, wood-burning stove on a flagged hearth, ceiling beams and oak floor.

There is ample space for a dining table in the beamed kitchen, where a good range of floor and wall cupboards supply plenty of storage, along with a range-style cooker, gas hob, fridge and dishwasher.

A ground-floor shower room features a tiled shower cubicle with glass-brick screen, pedestal basin, toilet, wall cupboard, and "leathered" slate countertop.

The first floor is home to three bedrooms, the first being a double room with an exposed beam and a built-in linen cupboard with Vaillant gas-fired central heating boiler.

The second double bedroom offers a built-in storage cupboard/wardrobe, while the third would be ideal as a large single bedroom or a home office or study, thanks to its built-in cupboards.

A modern white suite gives a fresh look to the family bathroom, with its panelled bath, shower and screen, pedestal basin, toilet and partly tiled walls.

Outside, a detached single garage with pitched, tiled roof is equipped with power and light, and a metal up-and-over door.

The attractively laid-out garden is screened by clipped hedging, shrubs, fencing and walls. It features a lawn, well-stocked herbaceous borders, shrubs and trees, an ornamental fish pond, and small paved patio.

There is also a lovely timber-decked sitting area with a pergola, covered by an established wisteria.

A driveway leading to the garage provides further off-road parking, and there is a covered courtyard at the back with a walkway leading to the road.

Finally, housed in a refurbished outbuilding with a modern interior is the useful utility room, with Belfast sink, open-fronted cupboard, plumbing for a washing machine, and cloaks pegs.

Old School House has a lovely outlook and is one of many pretty cottages in Sedgwick, which is close to the tranquil Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal.

Close to Kendal, the village is home to a village hall, community garden and popular cricket club.

www.michael-cl-hodgson.co.uk; tel 01539-721375.