3 Bed Houses To Rent in Longsleddale, Westmorland and Furness

Longsleddale’s rental market works quite differently from a typical suburban one, shaped by the village’s deep rural character and its historic housing stock. What stands here is mostly stone built, traditional farmhouses and cottages from the 17th and 18th centuries, with some even older, including the medieval pele tower at Ubarrow Hall. Our data shows that recent notable sales across the wider LA8 postcode area have stretched from around £119,580 for smaller cottages to more than £1 million for substantial period homes like Ubarrow Hall, which sold for £1,050,075 in January 2022. In the LA8 9BE sales market, prices are up 35.4% over the last decade and 23.5% since the last recorded local sale in July 2019, a clear sign of underlying demand in this sought-after valley setting.

Because Longsleddale sits inside the Lake District National Park, new development is tightly controlled, so the housing stock remains historic and no active new-build developments have been verified within the parish itself. Rentals usually take the form of converted farm buildings, old cottages and the occasional substantial period house, all with stone walls, green slate roofs and the sort of Lake District detailing that belongs to the place. The parish has nine listed buildings, all Grade II, among them Bridge End Farmhouse, Low Sadgill Farmhouse and its attached outbuildings, plus the historic Sadgill Bridge, each one part of the architectural story that defines this protected landscape.

Renters should expect pricing to sit at the premium end, because these homes are historic, secluded and close to outstanding natural beauty, all of which commands a strong rental premium compared with homes in larger towns. An 18th-century Grade II listed bank barn in the valley recently received a restoration grant, a reminder that these buildings continue to attract investment and careful repair. Supply is thin, demand for the Lake District lifestyle is steady, and when a property does appear, the competition can be fierce.

Longsleddale offers a way of life that is now unusually rare in modern Britain, with real rural isolation and a close link to the landscape around it. The parish is made up of a scattered group of roughly 30 houses along the valley floor and lower slopes, and recent census figures put the population at around 73-74 residents. Hill farming still anchors the local economy, shaping both the land and the character of the community. It is a small place, but the ties are strong, built on shared affection for the surroundings and the slower pace that valley life brings.

The valley’s past is tied closely to its geography. Wren Gill once supported slate quarrying, while woollen textile work added to farm income before both declined. Geologically, the area is complicated, with rough ash and breccia slates from the Borrowdale Volcanic Group, Silurian slates and grits, and a narrow band of Coniston limestone running through the valley. Glaciation carved all of that into the U-shaped valley we see now, and the rock beneath has influenced both the local building materials and the striking landscape.

Population figures tell their own story in a remote valley like this, swelling sharply during major schemes such as the Haweswater Aqueduct construction before settling back down again. The aqueduct itself runs underground through the valley, a serious engineering project that brought workers in and changed the make-up of the community in the mid-20th century. Hill farming still leads the local economy, although the unspoilt scenery draws hikers and nature lovers, which in turn supports a small tourism element through holiday cottages and visitor stays. From the door, residents can walk straight out onto routes heading for high fells and through ancient countryside that has changed little since the 19th century.

Anyone thinking of renting in Longsleddale needs to know that the parish has no primary school of its own, which is hardly surprising given the tiny population and secluded setting. The nearest primary provision is usually in the surrounding villages and market towns, with children generally travelling to schools in places such as Kendal or other nearby Lake District communities. School runs here depend on vehicle transport, so it is a real practical issue for families with school-age children, not a small inconvenience.

Primary school options in the wider area include several within sensible driving distance, and parents often travel to schools in Kendal or to Staveley, which has a primary school serving the wider local community. For secondary education, Kendal offers a range of schools with good Ofsted ratings, includingKES (Kendal College), while grammar school places may mean travelling to selective schools elsewhere in the Lake District. It is worth planning transport and journey times properly before deciding that Longsleddale works as a family base, because the rural location means schooling depends on travel to larger settlements.

There is also a local educational thread running through the parish’s history. St Mary’s Church, rebuilt in 1863, has long served the community’s spiritual and social needs, while a former school building from 1717 still speaks to the valley’s habit of providing for its residents despite the distance from larger places. Families with older children needing sixth form or further education can look to Kendal, where colleges and sixth form facilities are available via the valley road network. Day-to-day family life here usually means regular car journeys, so access to a car is essential rather than optional.

Transport and commuting from Longsleddale need careful thought, because the valley’s secluded position means private vehicle travel does most of the work. A single winding road links the valley to the A6 near neighbouring areas, and Kendal is roughly 10-15 miles away, giving access to the nearest major town for shopping, healthcare and work. Manchester and Lancaster can be reached via the M6 motorway for those heading to larger cities, although journey times of around 90 minutes to two hours are a reminder of how rural the starting point really is.

The nearest railway stations are in Kendal or at Oxenholme on the West Coast Main Line, with connections to destinations including London Euston, Birmingham and Glasgow. Oxenholme is especially useful for rail links, which makes occasional commuting to major cities possible for anyone with flexible working patterns rather than a daily city office run. Public transport in the valley itself is extremely limited, with no regular bus services through Longsleddale, so car ownership is effectively essential.

For people who work from home or want a truly remote life without a daily commute, Longsleddale can be hard to beat for scenery, outdoor space and a complete break from urban noise. Winter is the catch, because roads in the Lake District can be difficult, and the single-track routes need care, with closures possible in severe weather. Cycling is popular for local trips, though the hills are serious and riders need a decent level of fitness and the right kit for the steep gradients along the valley floor.

Renting in Longsleddale calls for a close look at a few issues that are specific to this protected rural setting and its historic homes. The parish’s nine listed buildings are all Grade II, so any alterations need Listed Building Consent from the Lake District National Park Authority, and tenants should expect far less freedom to change things than in a standard rental. Most properties are built from local stone with green slate roofs, and traditional construction means damp, roof condition and timber defects crop up more often than in modern homes, so a careful inspection and clear maintenance discussions with landlords matter.

The geology here, shaped by glaciation into a distinctive U-shaped valley, brings its own considerations for renters. Shales, Borrowdale Volcanic Group materials and Coniston limestone all feature in the local ground, so there may be some risk of movement that should be understood when looking at a property. The valley sits along the River Sprint too, which creates an inherent flood risk that should be checked properly before any tenancy is agreed, especially as the SSSI-designated river can change sharply during heavy rain.

Almost every home in the parish predates 1919, so outdated electrical and plumbing systems are a real possibility, even if some properties have been upgraded to modern standards and others have not. Stone houses of this age often show timber decay, condensation problems linked to limited ventilation in solid wall construction, and worn lime mortar pointing that needs ongoing care. With no modern development and strict planning controls inside the National Park, the setting and character of the village stay protected, which helps Longsleddale keep its distinct look for years to come.

It takes more than the monthly rent to understand the real cost of renting in Longsleddale, because the rural setting and the historic housing stock bring extra financial points to think about. Standard deposits in England are usually set at five weeks’ rent, based on the annual figure, although landlords of historic properties may ask for more to cover maintenance costs linked to traditional construction. You should also allow for referencing fees, which can be £50-£200 depending on the agency, and inventory check costs, usually £100-£300 depending on the size of the property. First month’s rent in advance is standard, so tenants need far more than one month’s rent ready when they move in.

Council tax comes on top of the rent, and the historic stone homes in Longsleddale usually fall into bands B to E depending on size and character. Electricity, heating oil or gas, water and broadband can all be more expensive than in towns, partly because fuel has to be delivered to a remote location and supplier choice is limited. Older stone houses with solid walls and original windows often cost more to heat than modern homes, so it is sensible to factor that in, along with the extra travel costs that come with rural living.

For a historic stone home of the sort found throughout Longsleddale, a RICS Level 2 Survey offers useful protection by picking up defects or maintenance issues before you commit to a tenancy. Survey prices vary with property value and complexity, with the national average around £445 and a typical range of £380-£629 for standard homes. Historic buildings of the age seen here may cost more because of the complexity of their construction, with older properties sometimes attracting 10-40% premiums and listed status potentially adding £150-£400. Surveys are optional for renters, but they can save a great deal of trouble later, especially in remote places where contractor visits may cost more and take longer to arrange.