North Highfield is a 6-bedroom, 4-reception room property.
We sleep 12 in the following rooms (the first 4 are on the first floor, the last 2 on the top floor).
- Lowther, a king size overlooking the lake with an ensuite shower room
- Banner, a king size overlooking the lake with an ensuite shower room
- Dootson, a king size with an ensuite shower room
- Carver, a double with an ensuite shower room
- Martineau , a zip together pair of twin beds or superking, overlooking the lake with an adjacent shower room shared with …
- Sheldon, a zip together pair of twin beds or superking.
There’s an additional main bathroom with a bath and a shower.
Bedrooms
Lowther
Lowther, has an antique king size bed and a direct view across the lake towards a panorama stretching from Coniston Old Man, past Scafell Pike and the Langdales. This room is generously proportioned and has an ensuite shower room. A large antique chest of drawers and a big wardrobe are provided.
The woods you see out of the window were once hunting grounds owned by the Lonsdale estate. Henry Lowther, the 5th earl of Lonsdale, known as the Yellow Earl, ran up massive sporting debts around the turn of the century, and in 1931 the estate had to sell off those rights.
Banner
Banner has a king sized sleigh bed and also looks across the lake to the fells. It has an ensuite shower room. A large “genteman’s wardrobe” provides copious hanging and a practical set of drawers, and there is a large dressing table.
Edward Banner, a Liverpool solicitor (President of the Liverpool Law Society in 1855) who lived here in the 1870s, was a member of the Royal Windermere Yacht Club at the time the Windermere 17 class, which still races there today, was first developed. A series of photographs by Beken of Cowes evoke the early twentieth century yachting experience.
Dootson
Dootson is a smaller room to the rear of the property with a king size bed, a very practical antique combination wardrobe and a “rise and fall” TV unit at the end of the bed. There is a small but functional ensuite. This room can be popular with a young couple as there is an opportunity to put a small child in a cot in the library opposite, within earshot but undisturbed.
The abstract silk paintings of the Lakes you see all around the house were painted by Judy Dootson, who owned North Highfield from 1992 to 2017. This was her favourite room.
Carver
Carver is a light and airy room to the back of the house with glimpses of the fells from the side window. It overlooks the side balcony. This room has a double bed, a large antique chest of drawers and a built in wardrobe, together with a very generous ensuite shower room.
Mary Carver lived here in the 1880s. Her father built the Priory next door, and her son was later shot down by the Red Baron during the first world war.
Martineau
Martineau is a generously proportioned space with the best view in the house. It is located on the top floor looking out over the lake. It can be configured as a superking or a pair of twin beds (please specify on booking). Quite often, a family with small children will choose to have this room as a superking for the parents, with children in Sheldon, set up with twin beds, next door. A stairgate is provided. This room shares a shower room with Sheldon. The room has a small antique chest of drawers and a built in wardrobe.
Harriet Martineau was a Victorian travel writer who lived in Ambleside and described North Highfield as the most enviable abode in the country because it combined stunning views of the Lakes with the convenience of access to the town.
Sheldon
Sheldon is at the back of the house on the top floor. It can be configured as a superking or a pair of twin beds (please specify on booking). It has a large chest of drawers and a built in wardrobe. This room shares a shower room with Martineau next door.
William Sheldon built this house in 1855 from the profits he made from the Windermere to Keswick coach franchise. See how the construction of the drive allows for rapid changes of horses.
Living Accomodation
A large drawing room with an open fire easily accommodates all guests with fantastic views of the lake and many celebrated Wainwright peaks. A door leads out to the raised patio and sweeping lawns. Next to it, the dining room boasts an elegant dining table for up to 14, again overlooking the lake. Upstairs, a well stocked library affords peace and quiet and even better views of the lake.
External
Outside there is parking for at least 6 cars, a secure store for a peloton of bikes, and a summerhouse. A secluded woodland footpath leads down to the house’s own jetty and short stretch of private lakeshore.
