A LITERARY slice of Lake District history has been put up for sale.

A Victorian boathouse on the eastern shore of Coniston Water, bel-ieved to be the inspiration behind Arthur Ransome’s childhood classic novel Swallows and Amazons, is up for grabs.

With a new film version of the story due next year, and interest in Ransome at a peak, it is expected to attract worldwide attention.

Published in 1930, Swallows and Amazons is the story of children from two families who, over one summer, share a series of adventures.

Ransome was a visitor to the nearby Lane Head house, owned by writer William Collingwood’s children, at the beginning of the 20th century.

The author taught Collingwood’s grand-children how to sail - providing the basis for the famous book.

The boathouse is visited by thousands of tourists a year and is being sold at a guide price of £150,000 by estate agents Matthew Benjamin.

Director David Ben-jamin said:. “It’s been on the market for a few weeks now and there has been interest locally, from people with boats on Coniston, and internationally from people interested in Ransome’s story.

“We pitched the price at around £150,000 which is what most boat houses have been selling for but we will have to wait and see if the Ransome effect makes a difference on the price.”

The property is offered for sale by tender with a closing date of Thursday, September 12.

Find out more from 015394 32220.