Last updated at 10:59, Thursday, 23 July 2009

JOHN TWYFORD takes us on a tour of Peel House, a delightful Victorian property on Broughton’s Church Street

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Tim Wakeling at Peel House, Broughton.

SAUNTERING around this ancient market town, even the casual observer can hardly fail to clock a gaggle of historic inns, Beswick’s Restaurant, the Market Hall – dating from 1766, ancient stocks (still in good working order), an obelisk commemorating George III and some original stone fish-slabs.
You've guessed it – we're in Broughton this week bent upon finding another interesting property to whet your appetite.
Award-winning inns aside, the village’s varied architecture has much to offer. Properties of every shape, size and hue grace its pleasant streets and square. Many appear Georgian in origin, but you wouldn't bet against their foundations being considerably older.
Some, of course, are more up to date – late 19th and 20th century. Others have been converted into family dwellings after serving their community in a quite different capacity.
Tim and Julie Wakeling’s delightful Victorian villa on Church Street is just such a property. From 1880 until 1970 it was the village police station . . .
Local schoolchildren attending Savoyard’s recent production of the Pirates of Penzance can testify that a policeman’s lot is not a happy one. Yet having such a handsome local nick to return to after running in Saturday night’s revelers and the odd deer poacher, it’s hard to imagine any rural policeman not enjoying his Broughton beat.
Peel House first attracted Tim and Julie because of its classical lines, estuary views and national park location. They prefer the character an older property has to offer and were also intrigued by the house’s previous occupation.
Tim might even be considered something of a jailbird himself. His favourite room can be traced back to one of the police station’s cells!
“The original wooden ceiling enabled us to trace its origin, but now it makes a cosy snug or study with a nice view over the garden,” he grins.
When Peel House retired from the force it was converted into two flats. Tim and Julie had some notion of amalgamating these into one large family home. But they soon realised this would be far too big for their needs.
“We would have ended up with a massive house over four floors,” Tim explains. “Certainly, for us, this would have been impractical.”
He adds that the couple have enjoyed four happy years in Broughton. “We love the village and its friendly people,” he says. “It’s the perfect size for easy country living.
“Beswick’s is a fantastic restaurant, literally on the doorstep, and, of course, there are the famous Broughton inns to savour, a handy post office, delightful cafe and a number of excellent local shops. It’s all very convenient.”
He goes on to point out that the ground-floor flat – 1 Peel House – is now on the market with Your Move in Millom.
This is the larger of the pair, covering two floors.
Including three or four bedrooms, it’s big enough to provide ample family accommodation, and although the driveway is shared with flat-two, the garden will be owned exclusively by number one’s new occupants.
Tim and Julie have seen no need to undertake any major refurbishments, confining themselves to keeping the property in a good weather-tight state of repair.
They have, however, decorated many of the rooms. Interiors are tastefully finished in that quiet understated way which is so suited to the classical proportions of an older property.
The flat’s lounge measures 12ft 2ins by 11ft 4ins, the master bedroom 12ft × 11ft 4ins and Tim’s favourite study 11ft 7ins by 9ft.
Symmetry, you see. Those old-time master builders swore by it . . . no 18ft long by 7ft wide lounge-diners here!
Flat-one also includes a spacious kitchen, dining area, cloakroom, two further double-bedrooms, a bathroom and a large storeroom with a “feature” flagged floor.
The garden might best be described as easy maintenance. Yet it’s an attractive space, once again feature-flagged and including a summerhouse.
Tim says they enjoy sitting outside in spring or summer, dining al fresco and sampling the odd glass of white wine. “We're are not keen gardeners, so this style of garden suits us perfectly,” he admits.
Many would agree with this sentiment.
Although they will retain fond memories of their stay in this delightful South Lakeland village, Tim and Julie have decided that it is now time to move on.
Flat-two has now been sold, and flat-one eagerly awaits some TLC from a new owner.
Your Move, based at 32 Lapstone Road, Millom, has 1 Peel House on the market at £199,950.
Anyone considering a move to Broughton can call their office on (01229) 774809.

First published at 16:26, Tuesday, 10 March 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk