Houses To Rent in Musgrave, Westmorland and Furness

Musgrave’s rental market mirrors the village itself, small in scale but varied enough to cover everything from traditional stone cottages to old farm buildings that have been turned into comfortable homes. In the broader CA17 postcode area, listing prices sit at around £355,222, and that context helps explain why rentals here can look good value beside nearby towns and the edge of the Lake District. Several Grade II listed properties add another layer of character to the local stock.

We see a mix of terraced cottages, semi-detached family homes, and the occasional conversion with generous space spread across one or two floors. Original stonework, slate roofs and other period details are common, which suits tenants who want an authentic Cumbrian feel. Set in the Eden Valley, the village also looks out over farmland and towards the Pennine hills, which only adds to the appeal.

Local stone is the defining material here, with quoins and slate roofs giving the Eden Valley its familiar architectural look. It is a practical tradition as well as an attractive one, because thick walls offer natural insulation and the thermal mass helps steady indoor temperatures through the year. Exposed stone, old fireplaces and solid construction are part of the draw, and they are details modern builds rarely match.

For everyday needs, residents head to nearby villages and towns. Appleby-in-Westmorland is around 10 miles away and brings a wider choice of shops, supermarkets and services, while Kirkby Stephen adds a health centre, pharmacies and independent shops that serve the surrounding Eden Valley communities.

Great Musgrave and Little Musgrave make up the parish, set beside the River Eden and Swindale Beck in the centre of the Eden Valley. The landscape is all mixed farmland, dry stone walls and the sort of Cumbrian countryside that has changed very slowly over the years. The River Eden, one of England’s finest salmon rivers, runs through the village, bringing beauty, fishing for those with the right permits, and a very local rhythm to daily life. Pubs, local events and a close-knit feel keep that village atmosphere going.

History runs deep here. The Great Musgrave Shrunken Medieval Village is a Scheduled Monument, which tells you plenty about the length of settlement on this site. Within the civil parish there are three Grade II listed buildings, including Musgrave House, a school building from 1828, and the associated forecourt railings. The Church of St. Theobald, built in stone, sits at the centre of community life and speaks to the village’s long Cumbrian past.

Musgrave works well as a base for people who like being outside. The Eden Valley and the wider Cumbrian landscape are on the doorstep, with the Pennine hills offering walking and cycling routes in every direction. Anglers are drawn to the River Eden, while the nearby Settle-Carlisle railway line, reached through Kirkby Stephen, gives scenic journeys through the Yorkshire Dales and beyond. Quiet country lanes through the valley suit leisurely rides and tougher outings alike.

Families looking at rentals in Musgrave have several primary schools within a sensible drive, and a number of them are rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted across the Eden Valley. The nearest primary options are usually in nearby villages such as Kirkby Stephen, where small classes and strong local ties are part of the appeal. It is a setting that gives children close attention and a supportive atmosphere, which many parents welcome after moving from larger towns or cities.

Secondary schooling is available in Kirkby Stephen and Appleby-in-Westmorland, both offering broad curricula and sixth form provision for pupils moving on from GCSEs. Catchment areas and admission policies need checking early, because they can shape where a child can actually go. Catholic primary schools serve the wider district too, and private schooling in Cumbria adds another route for families who want a different kind of education.

In a rural place like this, transport to school is a key part of family planning. Local bus services link Musgrave with schools in nearby towns, and for many households that becomes a manageable routine rather than a burden. Distances are short by comparison with many other rural areas, which helps keep the daily pattern straightforward.

Musgrave’s road connections reflect its Cumbrian setting. The village lies roughly 2 miles from the A66, the main trunk road running through the Eden Valley between Penrith and Scotch Corner. From there, the M6 at Penrith is about 20 miles away, opening up access to the wider network and cities such as Carlisle, Newcastle and Manchester. For those working in nearby market towns, driving is usually the main option, and the quiet roads make the journey feel far calmer than an urban commute.

Bus services link Musgrave with Kirkby Stephen and Appleby-in-Westmorland, so residents can reach train stations and extra amenities without too much trouble. Kirkby Stephen railway station gives access to Northern Rail services on the Settle-Carlisle line, with trains to Carlisle and Leeds, which suits commuters who need city links but prefer village life. The line itself is famous for its scenery through the Yorkshire Dales and Pennines, and it is widely regarded as one of Britain’s most beautiful rail journeys.

Parking at rural stations is usually easier and cheaper than it is at big city terminals, which helps make train travel more attractive from Musgrave. For people who travel further for work, the mix of quiet local roads and the Settle-Carlisle line gives a workable pattern. Rural living and professional commitments can sit side by side without too much friction.

Renting in Musgrave does take some extra thought because the village is so closely tied to the River Eden. Flood risk matters here, and the area has seen serious flooding, including in December 2015 when river levels reached 3.20m at Great Musgrave Bridge monitoring station. The usual range at that point sits between 0.14m and 1.39m, so significant events are part of the picture. Ask about the property’s flood history, check the landlord’s insurance, and think about alternative access routes if water rises.

Homes near watercourses may need contents insurance that specifically covers flood damage, so tenants should check the policy matches the risk at the property. Musgrave’s conservation and heritage character also means many homes are listed or sit within planning restrictions. Grade II listed properties can bring limits on alterations, renovations and even redecoration without listed building consent, and that needs to be understood before any tenancy is agreed.

Rural life here also means farm traffic on country lanes, seasonal activity and the occasional smell from nearby farmland. In the Eden Valley, those are normal rather than exceptional. There may be rights of way for neighbouring farmers, noise from machinery in season and early starts that come with agricultural life, so it helps to know what you are moving into.

Understanding the costs of renting in Musgrave makes budgeting much easier for a move to this Cumbrian village. The deposit, usually five weeks’ rent, is the biggest upfront item and has to be protected in a government-approved deposit protection scheme within 30 days of the tenancy start date. That protection means you should be able to recover the money at the end of the tenancy, provided there is no unresolved dispute over damage or unpaid rent. For a cottage renting at £800 per month, the deposit comes to around £923.

There are other upfront costs too, including referencing fees for credit checks, employment verification and previous landlord references, which generally fall between £100-£300 depending on the landlord or letting agent. Administration fees, once common, have mostly gone after government regulation, although some landlords may still charge reasonable fees for admin tasks. First-time renters may qualify for reduced upfront costs through government schemes, though those schemes have limited scope outside higher-value properties.

Always ask for a full breakdown of costs before you agree to a tenancy, and get written confirmation of every fee and deposit arrangement. The Tenant Fees Act 2019 sets out what landlords and agents can legally charge, and knowing where you stand helps the process run more smoothly from application right through to move-in day.