Come in from the cold

Nina and Sam Ward fell head over heels for this substantial 19th-century historical home in Cumbria and are slowly but surely returning it back to its former glory

- CHARLOTTE LUXFORD

Photographer Nina Ward had long dreamed of taking on a country estate, and often kept an eye on property listings looking for 'the one'.

It wasn't until she spotted an eight-bedroom house in Cumbria's Lake District with a rich history, 12.5 acres of ancient woodland and existing self-catered accommodation that she felt her heart skip a beat it was too good an opportunity to miss.

With her husband Sam's experience in hospitality, the idea of running a holiday let had been something they'd always talked about and this house presented the chance to bring in additional revenue, as well as create a beautiful family home for themselves and son Freddie.

The house, Eller How, was a former cottage near Cartmel that had been extended by architect George Webster between 1827 and 1850 after he inherited it from his father in 1818. George received some famous literary figures in his time, including poet William Wordsworth and author Edward Lear.