1. This outstanding detached house, architect designed to maximise the open views of the Solway and the northern Lake District, has been built to the highest specification throughout.

On the ground floor is an entrance hall, a downstairs cloakroom, an office with bespoke oak fitted furniture, a living/dining kitchen and a rear hallway leading to a downstairs shower room, a sitting room with panoramic views and a second kitchen.

Off a galleried landing are five bedrooms, all with en-suite facilities.

Outside are large south=facing rear gardens, a driveway to the side with electric gates and a detached garage.

Empire Park, Gretna, is on the market at £460,000 from H&H King Estate Agents. See here for more details.

2. An impressive newly constructed detached family home set in a generous plot, this home is built to a high specification with excellent thermal efficiency to provide low running costs.

The ground floor, which has underfloor heating, consists of an entrance hall, a lounge with views towards the fells, a study/bedroom, a family kitchen, a utility room and a cloakroom.

There is a master bedroom with an en-suite shower room, three further bedrooms and a four-piece family bathroom to the first floor.

There are gardens to the front and rear, a block-paved driveway, a parking/turning area and a double garage.

Grange Park House, Orton Grange, is on offer at £450,000 from Cumbrian Properties. More details available here .

3. This home is on a prestigious development, situated within a small village, which offers a range of properties built to a high specification and incorporating the latest standards of energy efficiency.

Locally there is a shop/post office, a village pub and easy access to the M6 motorway.

This particular property has an entrance hall leading to a spacious kitchen and dining area with traditional units and central island and French doors to the rear, a good-sized utility with access to the integral garage, a large light and airy lounge and a downstairs cloakroom.

Upstairs are two bedrooms with an en-suite, three further bedrooms and a stylish family bathroom.

Thornedge, Cumwhinton, is for sale at £399,950 from Cumberland Estate Agents. Find out more here .