Rural tranquillity and beautiful views were real selling points when Peter Hodgkinson came to look at Bolton Hall Cottage with the only noise being birds singing and livestock in the fields.

"Cumbria and the Lake District has always been a huge draw for me, so that played a large part in determining the location," he said. "Affordability was also a huge consideration as properties in the peak areas of the National Park command huge premiums.

"Bolton Hall Cottage is uniquely placed and the physical layout is also unique, coupled with the location - three miles from the sea and six miles from Wastwater, 'Britain's Favourite View'.

"And having spent most of my life in a village between the towns of Worksop and Chesterfield, where I still return to see family and old friends, I am totally disillusioned with the traffic jams and headlong race to build as many new properties in the smallest areas possible," he said.

"Here the only motor vehicles passing are the ones belonging to our immediate neighbours, the Royal Mail van and once in a while a tractor from the neighbouring farm, usually cutting the hedges on our lane."

Since buying the two-bedroom cottage with a partner in 2009, he has worked hard on renovations to transform it into the attractive and welcoming home it is now, where a deceptively spacious interior has many original features including original slate flooring which runs throughout the ground floor.

"Although the structure was good, the property when purchased was in need of total refurbishment with the only form of heating a small coal fire and minimal electrics - a single socket in each room," he recalled.

"One of the first jobs was to remove the tiny tiled fireplace in the living room, and open up the original inglenook fireplace which had been filled in with several tons of rubble many years ago. A multi-fuel stove was then fitted and we had some real heat at last, albeit only in one room.

"A complete LPG central heating system utilising a condensing combination boiler has now been fitted and the electrics have been completely replaced and extended to include multiple sockets in each room.

"All sash windows have been replaced with the modern tilt and slide type. The side door has been replaced with a composite one and a new Velux window has been fitted above the stairs. The roof has been examined and tiles replaced and reseated where necessary and one chimney stack has been releaded. Some guttering work has also been completed.

"All rooms have been refurbished to various degrees with a some plaster skimming, some insulation, skirting boards throughout – all the usual stuff."

Bolton Hall Cottage is now a cosy and welcoming home with two reception rooms, kitchen, utility, ground-floor shower room and two bedrooms. A store room has potential fro conversion to an additional shower room.

Peter believes the cottage was probably built around 1850. It sits in gardens of almost a quarter-acre which are mainly lawned with parking and woodland and is for sale with no forward chain.

"Sitting by the upstairs bedroom window or being outside, anywhere in the garden, are favourite places in the house, plus being in front of the stove in winter," Peter said.

"When I first saw the cottage I was blown away by its location and the uniqueness of the layout and I'm sure that will be the same for anyone else. Just a few minutes' walk leads you up a track, at the high point of which you can see right into Wasdale and the top of Scafell and looking the other way, the sea and (on a clear day) the Isle of Man can be easily seen.

"Gosforth is a lovely traditional village with all the basic amenities such as a shop, bakery and several pubs that serve food. The fells are a few minutes' drive away, Seascale has extended amenities like post office, doctors, etc, and Whitehaven is about 12 miles away is Whitehaven with a full range of facilities so everything is within quite a narrow radius.

"We're selling due to changes in cirmunstances. I'm self-employed and my partner isn't tied to a particular location so as we have elderly relatives in central England, the time is now right to move."

Bolton Hall Cottage, Gosforth, Seascale, is for sale at £339,950 from PFK Estate Agents. Find out more here .