Review: Linden Barn, Orton, Cumbria, UK

Nestled in the Cumbrian village of Orton is Linden Barn – a beautiful 3-bedroom property lovingly converted by owners Fiona and Brian who live next door. Available through Rural Retreats, it was renovated in 2020 and is idyllically situated with easy access to both the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District National Parks.

The welcome

Linden Barn is located off a short country lane just a stone’s throw from the heart of the village of Orton. Access to the property was via a lockbox, the details for which had been communicated to us in advance of our arrival, meaning we could seamlessly check ourselves in.

We did however call briefly next door just as a courtesy to introduce ourselves to the owners, and met Fiona who was friendly and chatty. We were fascinated to hear that Pablo, the retired resident trail riding horse who can often be seen in the paddock that Linden Barn overlooks, has been up Helvellyn several times, and even completed the Coast to Coast from St. Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay.

The property

The living area is bright and airy, filled with plenty of natural light, and with comfortable seating for up to six adults.

There’s a log burner and plentiful supply of locals, as well as underfloor heating for those cooler nights, plus a TV for a relaxing night in.

We stayed in December and so the room had been decorated with a Christmas tree.

The downstairs bedroom with a king size bed is similarly inviting, with muted, natural tones that perfectly complement the rustic elegance of a country barn conversion. It’s a thoughtful colour palette that gives the room a truly cosy ambience.

A closer look at the feature wall reveals a delicate wallpaper adorned with hedgehogs, rabbits, harebells, foxgloves, and more.

The en suite bathroom is clean and simple, again with natural tones, and equipped with everything you need – a walk-in shower, basin with anti-fog mirror, and WC.

Finally on the ground floor is the utility room, complete with washer/dryer, ironing board and drying rack. It’s a great space to put your muddy boots or hang up coats after an amble around the village, without clogging up the hallway.

The first floor has a spacious landing with a sofa and beautiful views over the paddock.

On this floor are two further bedrooms and a shared bathroom. One is home to another king size bed with a comfortable armchair and a fitted wardrobe.

The other is a twin-bedded room with a rocking chair and free-standing period wardrobe.

The shared bathroom has a separate bath and shower, and heated towel rail.

Toiletries are from Out of Eden, a leading supplier of hospitality products based in nearby Kirkby Stephen.

This is a dog friendly property so it was a pleasure to be able to bring our 10 year old Springer spaniel with us. The garden is fenced but dog owners do need to be mindful that this is a rural location with livestock often present in the surrounding fields.

The location

Unlike Appleby, Kirby Stephen and Tebay, which fall on A-roads between Cumbria and the north-east, Orton is tucked away and experiences far less traffic than its close Cumbrian counterparts. And despite being only a short drive from both Kendal and Penrith, visitors passing through the village are perhaps less likely to be seen in a car, since Orton is a popular stopover for walkers of the Coast to Coast, in addition to being directly situated on the Walney to Wear and Whitby Cycle Route.

Orton is a very tranquil village, often overlooked by both visitors and locals alike, yet with an abundance of charm and plenty of reasons to visit.  It was described by Wainwright as one of Westmorland’s loveliest villages. Not only is it home to a pub, village shop, café and chocolate factory (what more do you need?!), but it’s also within walking distance of Great Asby Scar and Gamelands Stone Circle.

Sandwiched between the Lake District, the North Pennines and the Yorkshire Dales, it will come as no surprise to learn that this is excellent walking country, with the riverside walk at Rutter Force a must-visit. Such is the tranquillity of the village that, on our leisurely walk through it, we encountered a heron that seemed unperturbed by our relatively close proximity.

During our stroll, we visited the village church which was holding a small Christmas tree exhibition with a number of imaginative displays that had involved the local community.

Further afield, other places of interest include Shap Abbey, Rheged and Lowther Castle to name just a few. We called at the latter, situated on a family estate that dates back to the 12th Century. The castle was sadly abandoned in the 1930s but has since been restored and you can learn all about its history in the museum, before exploring the ruins and grounds.

Our visit coincided with ‘Lowther through the Looking Glass’ where a number of mirrors had been strategically placed around the gardens to give visitors unique views of the plants, trees and ruins.

The gardens are of course not necessarily at their best in December, but it’s still lovely to be able to stroll around the grounds at any time of year. And the café is a great, dog-friendly spot to reward yourself with a treat afterwards.

Other nice touches

We were kindly greeted with a welcome hamper at Linden Barn, containing a loaf of bread, a homemade mixed fruit marmalade, some Lakeland tea, Lazy Sunday coffee, a lemon drizzle cake and a discount voucher for dinner at the nearby George Hotel. There was also a bottle of wine, eggs, milk and butter in the fridge, so an abundance of thoughtful extras.

Board games, books, maps, DVDs, binoculars and a mobile phone (only the EE network tends to work in the area) are provided for guest use. Since our visit was in December, the property was also beautifully decorated with a wreath on the front door, a Christmas tree in the lounge and festive decorations all the way up the stairs.

The cost

Short breaks out of season start from £728.
A full week in high season costs £1,563.

The best bit

The best bit for us was the solitude of the location. Orton offers an incredible sense of peace and seclusion, yet at the same time is remarkably accessible and only a 5-minute drive from both Junctions 38 and 39 of the M6 motorway. The towns of Kendal and Penrith are also conveniently close, each within a 25-minute drive.

The final verdict

Linden Barn has been lovingly converted and finished to a high standard, with quality fixtures and fittings. It offers a very homely retreat in a quiet corner of an already tranquil village. While available through an agency, it’s evident that owners Fiona and Brian are personally invested and have poured their hearts into the property, adding plenty of loving, personal touches to provide a truly special getaway.

And the fact that Linden Barn is easily accessible from the motorway, yet wonderfully secluded, makes it an ideal destination for off-season short breaks without the hassle of long hours spent driving to get there. Residents of cities such as Manchester and Liverpool can reach Orton in just 1½ hours, making it an easily-achievable weekend away.

Dislcosure: Our stay at Linden Barn was sponsored by Rural Retreats.

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Telegraph.