Family is at the heart of this traditional Cumbrian cottage, previously home to three generations and to which one of the grandchildren has returned with her own young children.

And to continue the theme, owners Tom and Gemma Metcalfe has converted the lower part of the house into a separate annex for Gemma's parents so Eden View is now back to multi-generational housing.

She explained: "My husband Tom and I bought the house six years ago after moving back from Manchester.

"This is where I grew up and I have so many happy memories from when I was tiny, living here with my grandad, mum, dad and brother.

"Now I'm back here with Tom and our boys Guy and Max. This has always been my perfect family home."

The cottage, which was built in the 1800s, has split-level accommodation with a four-bedroom upper level and a self-contained annex on the lower-ground floor.

Initially Gemma and Tom, who own a green marketing company, considered renting out the annex as a holiday let but a life event changed their minds.

She said: "By 2013 and the arrival of our first little boy, priorities changed and we thought it would be perfect as an annex for my mum and dad who also missed living here.

"It's very exciting for the boys having Grandma and Grandad downstairs!"

As well as the four bedrooms, one of which is en-suite, the main house has a fantastic dining kitchen, newly refurbished to a high standard, and a sitting room with exposed roof trusses and beams and a multi-fuel stove.

There is an office and utility/boot room at the back and the sumptuous family bathroom is fully tiled with a sunken bath and large separate shower.

The annex has a breakfasting kitchen, sitting room and en-suite bedroom with access to the garden.

Tom said: "Since moving in we have redesigned throughout, reworking every room of the house. When we were doing the renovation we expected to be here for life so the aim was to never have to do things twice.

"We’ve had the dream team of local trades and craftsmen who have really put a lot of love, sweat and late evenings into the house and created some really unique features.

"The large family kitchen upstairs in an amazing room. You can see the sun rising from there and the view is magical, whatever the weather.

"I’m captivated by something new whenever I look out and have the sun all day until you watch it set in the evening. I like switching my phone off, going for a little walk down our road to enjoy some fresh air and the peace and calmness of the area."

Eden View is set in a private position on the edge of Armathwaite village with its own driveway leading to a parking area. The gardens are low maintenance with large, mostly south-facing, lawns and mature trees giving privacy and shelter.

"It's like our own little retreat within walking distance from the village and everything it has to offer but tucked away and totally private with unbelievable views from every angle," Gemma said.

"We're less than 30 minutes from the Lake District in an area that's just as stunning but without the traffic and tourists."

She and Tom will be sad to leave the area, but work is forcing the move.

She said: "Our business is taking us away but we have a lot of good memories to take with us. This house has always been our dream home and we’ve had a lot of amazing times here."

Tom added: "It's a new chapter for us and I prefer to look forward but I do feel very blessed to have owned such an amazing piece of property in such an amazing place in the world.

"I just hope someone else can enjoy it and the area as much as we have."

Eden View, Armathwaite, is for sale at £699,950 from Finest Properties, tel. 01434 622234.