Ashley Bank, Kirkby Stephen

Ashley Bank is located just outside the village of Newbiggin on Lune, in the Lune Valley close to the river’s source.  Set in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and overlooking the Howgill Fells, the property enjoys some of the area’s finest countryside.  The Lake District National Park commences the other side of Tebay making this a great location for those with a love of the Great Outdoors.

Ravenstonedale (1.7 miles) is home to two excellent inns, The Kings Head and Black Swan Hotel, and a popular par 3 golf course.  Kirkby Stephen (6.4 miles) has excellent facilities including convenience stores, places to eat, a railway station with links to Leeds and Carlisle covering the scenic Settle to Carlisle section, and good local shops.

Kendal is 19 miles to the southwest and has more extensive services including a train station and supermarkets.  Oxenholme train station is just outside Kendal and has regular services between London and Edinburgh.  The M6 is accessed at Tebay (6 miles), and the A66 at Brough (11 miles).

There are several primary schools and nurseries nearby including Ravenstonedale (Nursery only), Orton and Kirkby Stephen, and Kirkby Stephen Grammar School has a “Good” rating (Ofsted 2024).  Sedbergh, a private school, is 13 miles away and takes pupils from three years old through to A Levels.

The House and Garden

The current owners completely refurbished the house, creating a wonderful home with exceptional views of The Howgills.  The property was converted from the original farmstead belonging to the manor house next door.  In addition to the house’s spectacular garden, the holiday homes benefit from their own separate, lawned garden to the west of the house.

The ground floor provides an impressive kitchen/dining room with two windows providing panoramic, southerly views over the garden to the fells.  There is a large central island with a breakfast bar and plenty of room for a dining table and space to circulate.  The living room is open to the kitchen and has a clever Elm screen that partially separates the two rooms; it has a vaulted ceiling with skylights, resulting in a light, contemporary reception room.  There is also a practical boot room with a WC, located by the front door.  Situated to the first floor is a sitting area and useful study.

There are three bedrooms and two bathrooms at garden level including the generous master bedroom which has an en suite bathroom.  Of particular note is the garden room which takes in the garden and extraordinary view.  The laundry is adjacent to the bedrooms.

The garden is beautifully designed with well stocked borders and terraces taking advantage of the stunning backdrop.  The owners created a very civilised outdoor “kitchen”, with a timber frame and roof, offering a shaded spot to entertain in the summer months.  For those keen to grow their own food there is a kitchen garden with a green house and fruit cage.

The house is approached across a common, along an attractive, private treelined drive to two extensive parking areas with an electric charging point, serving the holiday accommodation and house.  There are stone steps leading to the front door, creating an impressive introduction to the house.

The Holiday Accommodation

There are two holiday properties attached to the main house that have been completely refurbished and have proved extremely popular.

Ashley Cottage provides five bedrooms with four bathrooms, a generous kitchen, separate dining room and double reception room which opens onto the garden.  The accommodation sleeps up to 12 guests.

Beechtree Cottage has a double bedroom with an en suite shower room and an open plan sitting room and kitchen.  The accommodation sleeps two to four guests.

The cottages’ garden is practically situated away from the main house and is predominantly laid to lawn with a children’s area and hot tub in its own building.

Local Authority

Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Council Tax

The house- Band D, payable to Westmorland and Furness Council

Currently the holiday lets benefit from small business relief.

Services

Mains Water, private drainage and LPG heating and hot water.

Connectivity

There is “good outdoor” mobile signal in the area (Ofcom).  B4RN provides ultrafast broadband.

House and garden photography taken May 2026 and cottage photography taken 2025