Built around 1720, charming Edenside Cottage is full of style and elegance, with character features complemented by contemporary additions.

It has been the much-loved home of Mandy and Michael McGrath for two decades after they relocated to Cumbria from South Africa.

Michael already knew Wetheral, having spent lots of weekends in the Crown Hotel with his son from a previous marriage, when he was working in the UK, but it was new to Mandy and she fell for it straightaway.

“It has amazing character and a peaceful location, in a lovely village with great amenities and transport links,” she said.

“The people are friendly, there are great local pubs and restaurants, a proper village with a post office and shop and a village green. It’s a happy place to live and has lots of nice walks.

“In addition, Wetheral has an active village life, with a new community village hall hosting numerous classes, a playschool, a hairdresser and a therapist.”

The Grade II-listed semi-detached home, which is in a superb position overlooking the River Eden and on the edge of desirable Wetheral village, has been extended over the years to offer versatile living space.

It has a range of reception rooms – sitting room, dining room and snug – there’s a useful study, the large breakfasting kitchen is bright and spacious and a delightful garden room is glazed on three sides with a vaulted roof, ceiling beams and French doors to the garden.

An attractive spindle staircase leads to a half-landing and on to the main landing where the bedrooms are found. These comprise a master bedroom with built-in storage and an en-suite bathroom, two further double bedrooms, a guest bedroom at the back of the house and a dressing room with wardrobes.

The main family bathroom, which has a dual aspect, has a free-standing roll-top claw-foot bath and separate shower cubicle.

Mandy, who works as a physical therapist, said: “Since we’ve been in Edenside Cottage we’ve fully carpeted, completely redecorated inside and outside and put in a new boiler but other than that it has been mostly general maintenance and refurbishment as we like the design and layout as it is.”

The outside of the house is as lovely as the interior with a private back garden offering a delightful family space. It has mature trees, shrubs and perennials with stepping stones across the lawn to the garden office which has broadband and telephone connections, making it ideal for working from home.

The back garden has a patio area and there’s a second patio at the side of the house along with a shed, greenhouse and additional parking.

Michael, who is a business consultant, said: “We both like the snug and I particularly like the gallery landing and stairs.

“The house has immense character and history and is in an amazing location across a narrow quiet road to the banks of the River Eden and along to Wetheral railway viaduct. I’d say that anyone viewing it would be impressed by the deceptively large accommodation, detached two-room bothy and large double garage.

“The back garden is fenced on one side, with a hedge on the other and a cliff rising behind to make it very private. A central lawn area is set off by beds full of colour in the spring and summer.

“We’re going to miss everything about our home, its warm feel and great location and that it’s peaceful and quiet with lovely walks. I’ll also miss the river – a lot – but the house is too large for just two of us, so we would like to find something smaller in Wetheral.”

Edenside Cottage, Wetheral, is for sale at £645,000 from Finest Properties, tel. 01434 622234.