ONE of the finest and most distinctive properties in the Lyth Valley, famed for its damson orchards, has come onto the market.

Crosthwaite House, in the picturesque village of Crosthwaite, dates back to the late 18th century and has been owned by the same family for more than three decades.

This beautiful period home, with three floors plus an attic and cellars, was run as a successful bed-and-breakfast business for many years.

It is being sold together with three characterful holiday cottages converted from an adjacent barn - Low Bank, Middle Bank and Top Bank - and the total asking price is £1,450,000.

Grade II-listed Crosthwaite House has lovely, open views over the Lyth Valley and Whitbarrow Scar, and is surrounded by attractive gardens and grounds with lawns and damson and apple trees.

The agents, Milne Moser, say that as the owners look towards retirement the layout of the main house has been adapted to create a further self-contained apartment for letting. However, reverting the property back to guest house accommodation would be easily achieved, they add.

A handsome and imposing front door sets the scene for the original features that have been preserved throughout, such as exposed wooden floorboards, ornate fire surrounds of fossilised stone, elegant sash windows with working shutters, high ceilings and coving.

The en-suites to the guest bedrooms have been updated in recent years, and an attractive sun room with bi-fold doors has been added.

The agents say there is scope, subject to planning permission, to further develop the outbuildings, which include an old school house.

The living room and dining room both feature large sash windows with shutters, stripped floors and handsome fire surrounds.

A four-oven AGA set into a limestone mantel creates a welcome focal point in the kitchen, which overlooks the courtyard and Roman well. Contemporary white gloss handle-less base and wall units contrast with solid woodblock worktops and a traditional flagged floor.

A graceful staircase with Westmorland-style window runs the height of the house.

The first floor is home to the self-contained apartment's lounge overlooking fields towards Whitbarrow Scar, with wood burner and slate hearth; a smartly equipped kitchen/diner with grey units and marble-effect worktops; and three en-suite bedrooms.

The second floor offers four more bedrooms, one of them being en-suite. There is a generously sized family bathroom with bath, shower cubicle, vanity basin and toilet, plus the charming detail of a leaded, shuttered window.

Each of the three charming holiday lets has parking and there is a double car port beside the main house. Crosthwaite House's heating is oil-fired heating and the cottages have electric heating.

www.milnemoser.co.uk; tel 01539-725582.