4 Bed Houses To Rent in Great Strickland

Great Strickland’s rental market mirrors the feel of this small Eden Valley village, where stone cottages and old farmhouses still make up much of the housing stock in a place that has kept a lot of its architectural heritage intact. It is a very different picture from larger towns with rows of new-builds. Here, renters can live in properties with real history, often built in local sandstone and topped with green slate roofs, the sort of details found across traditional Cumbrian buildings throughout the Eden Valley. Being close to Penrith means tenants can still draw on practical letting agent services, while enjoying rural village living, which has made the area more appealing to people looking to leave bigger urban centres without losing access to work and everyday amenities.

Planning activity suggests the housing stock could grow in time, with outline proposals at Oak Farm and Town Head Farm set to add more rental homes to the local market in the years ahead. At Oak Farm, the application seeks to demolish existing agricultural sheds and redevelop the site for up to five dwellings, with Westmorland and Furness Council receiving the submission in February 2026 from Addis Town Planning Ltd on behalf of the Viscount Lowther Trust. Town Head Farm is a separate case, lodged in January 2026 and still awaiting a decision, and it could bring around 13 new homes to a 1.6-hectare site made up of a farmyard, farm buildings, and fields. Taken together, those schemes point to a likely increase in supply as demand from prospective renters continues.

Broader market activity points to sharp year-on-year shifts, with average sale prices up 89% on the previous year, although still 26% below the 2022 peak of £778,000, so the local picture remains lively and has a knock-on effect on rents across the area. homedata.co.uk records 119 properties found in Great Strickland, and the most recent sales average £501,250 over the last 12 months, which shows steady activity despite the village’s small size. Our inspectors work across this part of the Eden Valley and see how those market movements feed through into both sale and rental values, giving prospective tenants useful context in a competitive location.

Life in Great Strickland gives renters a rare chance to settle into traditional Cumbrian village life, in a community that has held onto its character and charm over time and increasingly attracts people who want something different from urban living. The village sits within the civil parish of Great and Little Strickland, and the 2021 Census puts the population at 365 residents, so it remains an intimate place where neighbours know one another and village events draw people together through the year. At the centre, the award-winning pub acts as the social hub, serving good food and company while helping to sustain the strong community spirit that defines life here, and it has gained recognition well beyond the village itself as a place to meet and spend time.

The surrounding landscape adds a great deal to the appeal of Great Strickland. To the west, the River Leith gives walkers and wildlife watchers a stretch of countryside to explore along its banks. The Eden Valley is known for its scenic setting, with rolling farmland, drystone walls crossing the land, and wide skies that are so typical of the Cumbrian countryside. There is also easy access to the Lake District National Park, which is within comfortable driving distance and brings world-class walking, cycling, and outdoor recreation within reach for residents as well as visitors.

St Barnabas church, built in 1872 from local sandstone like other historic buildings in the village, provides a clear heritage landmark and a focus for community events and celebrations across the year, from weddings and christenings to seasonal services. The civil parish covers not only Great Strickland but also Little Strickland and the hamlet of Thrimby, so the sense of community extends beyond the village centre and gives residents further facilities and social links if they choose to look around the wider area. Our team understands what draws people to village life in this part of Cumbria and can point prospective renters towards properties that fit their needs, while also explaining the local community and the amenities on hand.

Families looking to rent in Great Strickland will find schooling options both nearby and in Penrith, which is about 5 miles away, so there is a range of choices for children at different stages. The village lies within the catchment for primary schools serving Eden Valley communities, and several well-regarded schools in surrounding villages cater for children from early years through to Key Stage 2. That gives local provision to families who want to keep daily travel down. These smaller rural schools often have close community ties, committed staff, and excellent pupil-to-teacher ratios, all of which support individual learning and help younger children settle into their education.

Secondary education is usually accessed in Penrith, where families can choose from more than one option, including state and grammar school provision depending on circumstances and catchment areas. That gives parents some flexibility and means the choice can be matched to a child’s strengths and ambitions. Penrith’s schools have built reputations for academic results and extracurricular activities, so students can move through a broad secondary offer that prepares them well for further study and later working life. The Richard Albaugh Academy, along with other local secondary schools, serves the wider catchment, and transport is usually available for pupils living in outlying villages such as Great Strickland.

For sixth form or further education, Penrith also provides A-levels and vocational qualifications, so older students do not need to travel long distances for advanced study that might otherwise mean moving to a larger town or city. Parents should check school Ofsted ratings and admissions arrangements through Westmorland and Furness Council to work out the most suitable options for their children, since catchments and availability can change and direct enquiry gives the most up-to-date information. Great Strickland’s closeness to these education providers makes the village appealing to families who want rural living without giving up on educational prospects, and school transport links help with the practical side of the daily journey.

Great Strickland has stronger transport links than many rural villages, with the M6 giving direct access to major cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, and Glasgow, which makes this small Eden Valley settlement a realistic base for commuters who work in urban centres but prefer countryside living. The village is roughly 5 miles south-east of Penrith, so residents can reach Penrith railway station without much trouble. That station sits on the West Coast Main Line and runs regular services to London Euston, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester, and other major destinations, while the journey to London takes approximately three hours, which keeps regular commuting within reach for those with the right working pattern. The village’s place along the West Coast Mainline corridor has long helped shape its development and still brings clear transport advantages for people who need to travel beyond the local area for work or other reasons.

Bus links are provided by Stagecoach and other operators, connecting Great Strickland with Penrith and nearby villages including Appleby, Shap, and Kirkby Stephen, so those without a car still have useful public transport options for everyday life. The frequency is lower than you would find on urban routes, so residents should always check the current timetable and plan ahead, especially if an appointment needs precise timing or a return journey may involve a long wait. Cyclists have a good choice too, from tougher hill routes to gentler valley roads, and the National Cycle Network links neighbouring towns and villages with routes that show off the Eden Valley and offer a healthy alternative to driving.

Parking in the village is usually adequate for a settlement of this size, and most homes have off-street parking or access to communal parking areas, which helps with one of the common worries in rural areas where on-street space can be tight. Junction 39 on the nearby M6 gives access to the wider motorway network for drivers, with straightforward links into the north-south corridor between Scotland and England and onward routes to major cities across the country. Our team can talk through transport options for particular parts of Great Strickland and the surrounding area, so prospective renters can weigh up commuting needs and day-to-day practicalities before they commit.

Renting in Great Strickland means taking account of the particular qualities of this historic Cumbrian village, where most homes were built before modern construction standards and need a more informed eye from prospective tenants. There are 17 Grade II listed buildings here, so many rental properties are likely to be period cottages or farmhouses with solid stone walls, green slate roofs, and original features that bring maintenance duties and planning restrictions with them. Our inspectors come across these types of homes often across the Eden Valley and can talk through common defects and upkeep issues that matter to both landlords and tenants in older rural properties.

Stone walls and green slate roofs are typical in the area, and prospective tenants should check for damp, which can be common in older homes built before modern damp-proofing and may show itself as rising damp, penetrating damp, or condensation. Local assessments mention the underlying clay geology, which can contribute to ground movement, and properties on clay soils may be prone to subsidence or settlement, especially during drought or heavy rainfall when soil conditions change. A viewing in dry weather is sensible, and it is worth checking for cracks, uneven floors, or doors that stick or will not close properly.

Energy efficiency needs particular attention in Great Strickland’s older homes, because traditional stone buildings with single-pane windows can cost more to heat than modern equivalents, so asking for Energy Performance Certificate details and exploring possible insulation improvements with the landlord makes sense. The River Leith to the west also raises flood risk questions, and tenants should ask about flood history, drainage arrangements, and any resilience measures in place, especially where a property sits in a low-lying spot near a watercourse and may need extra checks for past water damage or damp. Homes on higher ground in the village may have a better flood risk profile while still being close to the same amenities and community facilities.

Knowing the financial side of renting in Great Strickland helps prospective tenants plan properly and avoid surprises during the application process, which makes the move to village life in this attractive Eden Valley location much less stressful. For most Assured Shorthold Tenancies in England, the standard deposit is five weeks' rent, calculated from annual rent divided by twelve and multiplied by five, and it must be protected in a government-approved deposit scheme throughout the tenancy before being returned at the end minus any legitimate deductions for damage or unpaid rent, giving both landlords and tenants a degree of security. That deposit is a substantial upfront cost, especially alongside the first month’s rent, so it is important to have savings in place before starting a search, and tenants should add those sums together when deciding whether they are ready to secure a property here.

We advise taking photographs at check-in and flagging any existing damage to the landlord or letting agent in writing, because that record helps with a smooth deposit return at the end of the tenancy and gives clear evidence of the property’s condition at the start. You should also allow for utility connections for gas, electricity, water, and broadband, as these may involve connection fees or installation charges depending on the home’s current arrangements and the providers available in this rural setting. Council tax will be due from the tenancy start date, with the amount set by the property’s band under Westmorland and Furness Council, so tenants should confirm the exact band with the landlord or agent before they finalise their budget for this regular bill.

Contents insurance is strongly recommended for renters, especially in rural places such as Great Strickland where homes may be more spread out and replacing belongings after theft, fire, or water damage could be costly, and specialist insurers can offer policies suited to rental homes and tenant circumstances. First-time renters should also allow for removal costs, possible storage needs, and the time it takes to settle into a new community, so the move into village life in this attractive Eden Valley setting runs smoothly without financial shocks at an already busy time. Our team can talk through the typical costs of renting in the Great Strickland area, helping prospective tenants understand the full financial commitment involved in securing and keeping a tenancy in this desirable rural location.