Meadow View House is a classic Georgian property with unique character, eclectic layout and abundance of period features.

That's the view of Peter Tandy, who has lived there with wife Sue for 14 years.

Peter said: "The house is billed as being semi-detached but as the adjoining cottage - which used to belong to the house - has neither a back nor front garden or any windows directly overlooking the gardens, it has much more the feel of a detached property.

"It was built in 1728, but it has been added to and altered since then and is a very characterful house with lots of space, particularly downstairs, and an unusual layout with rooms on different levels."

The beautifully presented property has two reception rooms, a bespoke kitchen, four bedrooms, a guest suite and lovely first-floor lounge with fell views. Outside are attractive walled gardens and ample off-street parking, plus garage.

"Since we have owned the property, we have overseen a significant amount of remedial and renovation work," Sue recalled.

"This included damp proofing and redecoration of the downstairs front rooms and hallway, followed by installation of central heating. We built an outhouse to store the oil tank and created a patio area, complementing the existing folly.

"We converted the coal house to a utility room and transformed the original garage by raising the ceiling height to accommodate 4x4s, adding a pitched slate roof and full-width electrically-operated door."

Peter added: "The kitchen now has bespoke oak units and a new Aga and we also upgraded the bathrooms. The rooms and space, particularly downstairs, allow for flexibility. We believewe have brought the house up to a high standard and any new owner could move in straight away, but there is plenty of potential for them to put their own stamp and style on to the place, if they desired."

The house has generous gardens, laid mainly to lawns with mature trees and shrubs. There are two enclosed, walled gardens, the main one having a patio area with views over open fields and fells.

The second, smaller, walled garden is secluded and sheltered, with oak decking. There is a third walled patio area with a creeper clad wall and folly.

There are ample parking facilities on the driveway to the side of the house and to the rear of the property with space for a motorhome or caravan, as well as the 6m-wide double garage.

Sue said: "Meadow View House is eponymous, with fantastic views over open fields to the Lakeland fells and Skiddaw as a backdrop. The views are particularly striking from the main garden area and the front-facing rooms."

"We have two favourite spots in the house. In winter it's the downstairs lounge with the multi-fuel stove lit, watching TV, reading or listening to music. In the summer, the main patio area, enjoying a barbecue while looking out over the fells."

The Tandys are downsizing to a smaller property but are going to miss village life.

""Deanscales is on the edge of the national park, with the northern lakes being within easy reach but without the full-on tourist atmosphere of, say, Keswick," Peter said.

"It's friendly, with a good community spirit and a pub which changed hands about nine months ago and is now much improved and popular.

"The house is classic Georgian with lots of period features and we will definitely miss its character and space, the gardens and the warmth of the Aga in the kitchen."

Meadow View House, Deanscales, Cockermouth, is on the market at £395,000 from Smeatons Estate Agents, tel. 01900 825918.