Clare's Perfectly At Home at Holme Eden

Posted on 30 Apr 2009

Clare Smeaton has become the latest resident at Cumbrian Homes’ exclusive Holme Eden development in the Cumbrian village of Warwick Bridge after purchasing one of the final three remaining apartments.



For Clare, Human Resources Manager at Northern Foods in Carlisle, the purchase of the ground floor apartment marks the end of a lengthy search for a home that fitted her particular requirements, as she explained, “I was living at Pennington, near Ulverston, but wanted to move closer to my work in Carlisle and family in Penrith. Just as importantly for me was that I wanted room for my grand piano, which ruled out many properties!”

“I’d been looking for a while and went to see the barn conversions at Cumbrian Homes’ development at Blencarn. Although I very nearly signed up for one, Jill, their Sales Negotiator, mentioned the last apartments at Holme Eden so I drove up to see the building and fell in love with both the location and the apartment at first sight.”

“The location is just stunning and I look out my kitchen window over the grounds onto the River Eden whilst the actual rooms with their 18’ ceilings are magnificently proportioned and give me ample room for the piano!”

The apartments at Holme Eden are the result of a remarkable restoration project that has taken the Grade II* listed building, originally designed in the style of a Tudor mansion by John Dobson in 1837 and one of the very few ’calendar’ houses in the country, from almost certain destruction to become one of the most prestigious addresses in the region. In 2007, the development won the Conversion category of the Newcastle Journal’s 21st Century Living Awards

Set on the edge of the picturesque village of Warwick Bridge, yet less than five miles from Carlisle and offering easy access to both the M6 and Newcastle along the A69, the project has converted the house into 12 very different apartments. The painstaking restorative work has been carried out under guidance from English Heritage to ensure none of the original character and integrity is lost with focal points such as the reception, main staircase, hall and courtyard now forming communal areas, and together with the extensive grounds, there for all residents to enjoy.

Clare continued, “What has also impressed me has been Cumbrian Homes’ fantastic service – their staff have been so helpful in helping me move in – they even put in a cat flap and a small external platform for my cat to get in! The piano weighs over half a ton but we arranged a specialist company to move it in and the Cumbrian Homes staff couldn’t do enough to help throughout.”

“The whole purchase just went so smoothly with their solicitors being so helpful as well – they even allowed me to begin moving in bits of furniture before we’d legally completed. All my previous moves had been so stressful, but it really was as hassle-free as you can get this time!”

The final two, three bedroom apartments at Holme Eden are currently available from £485,000. For further details please contact Cumbrian Homes on (01768) 840840 or visit the web site on www.cumbrian-homes.co.uk.

Winners of the NHBC Gold Award and established in 1971, Cumbrian Homes Ltd are builders of high quality homes and currently have homes for sale at four developments throughout Cumbria.