2 Bed Houses To Rent in Ormside, Westmorland and Furness

In Ormside, the seasons set the pace and the community feels close-knit. Set in the Eden Valley, the village sits among rolling farmland, drystone walls and the slow bend of the River Eden. The Pennines rise to the east, the Lake District fells show on clear days to the west, and local events, plus the traditional pub at the centre of village life, make it easy for newcomers to settle in.

Farming has long been the backbone here, even after the quarrying and lime-burning industries that were prominent in the 19th century faded away. Historical records show how important those extractive trades once were to the Eden Valley, although the land is now used mostly for agriculture. Tourism is taking a bigger role too, with the Wild Rose caravan park bringing in visitors and Ormside Mill Activity Centre giving families something to do through the summer months.

That blend of working countryside and tourism gives the local economy a steady base and helps support everyday services in nearby market towns. The Wild Rose caravan park sits within easy walking distance of the village centre and draws holidaymakers who come for the Eden Valley’s quiet setting and strong walking routes. Their seasonal spending helps keep village amenities viable, and the Ormside Mill Activity Centre adds another draw for families looking to make the most of the open countryside.

Renters who settle into village life tend to get the best from Ormside. Going to local events, learning neighbours’ names and backing the village pub all help with that. We advise prospective tenants to visit at different times of day, and on different days of the week, before they commit, so they can get a proper feel for this quiet part of Cumbria.

Families looking at Ormside will find schooling options within a sensible drive. The village itself is served by primary schools in nearby communities, with the nearest one usually in a surrounding village or in Appleby-in-Westmorland, about five miles away. Those schools generally reflect the strong standards seen across Cumbrian communities, where class sizes stay small and pupils get more individual attention. Our local contacts say primary schools in the Eden Valley regularly achieve results above the national average for Key Stage 2 assessments.

For secondary education, Appleby-in-Westmorland and Penrith both come into play, with bus services linking the scattered Eden Valley communities. Journey times vary according to the pick-up point, but families should allow roughly 20-30 minutes for Appleby and up to 45 minutes for Penrith secondary schools. Older pupils can also look to sixth form provision and further education colleges in the nearby market towns, and Penrith College offers a broad range of vocational and academic courses for students aged 16 and above.

Catchment areas can be wide in this rural patch, so it pays to check the admissions policy for any school you have in mind when looking at a rental in Ormside. Westmorland and Furness Council’s education department can give current details on boundaries and any places available locally. We recommend direct enquiries with preferred schools before any tenancy is agreed, because oversubscription in popular rural schools can mean longer journeys than the postcode suggests.

Ormside’s transport links reflect its setting on minor roads that wind through the Eden Valley. Appleby-in-Westmorland has the nearest railway station, on the well-known Settle-Carlisle line that runs between Leeds, Settle and Carlisle. That scenic route matters to commuters and visitors alike, with journeys to Carlisle taking around 40 minutes and to Leeds about two hours by train. The line’s near-closure in the 1980s, and the campaign that kept it open, still means a great deal locally.

Bus services do exist, although they are limited. Weekday routes link Ormside with Appleby-in-Westmorland and nearby villages, with the 562 service and similar runs usually offering morning and afternoon journeys that fit around market days and shopping trips. Weekend options are much thinner, so anyone relying on public transport for leisure or services on Saturdays and Sundays will need to plan ahead. For day-to-day commuting, a car is effectively essential.

Penrith is roughly 12 miles away and gives residents access to a wider choice of shops, services and the nearest major supermarket. The A66 trunk road cuts through the area and offers a relatively quick route to the M6 at Penrith, tying the Eden Valley into the national motorway network. From there, Manchester, Glasgow and Newcastle are all within reasonable driving distance. We have helped plenty of commuters find rentals in Ormside and the surrounding villages, and we can talk through which spots are best for road access.

Renting in Ormside calls for a bit of extra care because of the village’s setting beside the River Eden. Flood risk is one of the main things to think about. Our inspectors have surveyed properties throughout the Eden Valley and know the patterns that affect this area. Prospective tenants should ask about flood history and look at available flood risk assessments before committing, especially for homes with river views or those on lower ground.

The number of listed buildings also matters day to day, because many rental properties carry listed building status and that brings rules on maintenance and alterations. Some changes may need listed building consent, so any planned modifications should be discussed with the landlord before the tenancy begins. Traditional construction methods also mean there is often less room for alteration than there would be in a modern house.

Age is another key issue. With many homes dating from the 18th or 19th century, and some older still, damp, roof condition and outdated electrical systems crop up more often than they do in newer properties. Our team has seen plenty of age-related wear in village homes, and we always suggest tenants budget for repairs and take maintenance reporting seriously, getting problems to the landlord promptly.

There are a few costs beyond the monthly rent that anyone looking at Ormside needs to factor in. The biggest upfront item is usually the security deposit, typically equal to five weeks' rent under the Tenant Fees Act 2019. It must be protected in a government-approved deposit protection scheme within 30 days of receipt, and you should be told exactly where the money is held. Our team can walk through that process and explain what it means in practice.

Other charges can include referencing checks, which cover credit history, employment verification and previous landlord references. Some landlords still ask for a holding deposit to take a property off the market while references are checked, although that is less common since the Tenant Fees Act came into force. As of 2024-25, there is no limit on deposits for rental properties, but the Tenant Fees Act does prohibit landlords from charging certain fees, including admin charges, check-out fees and inventory fees. Ask for a full breakdown before you commit to anything in Ormside.

Monthly rents across the wider Westmorland and Furness area usually sit between £600 and £900 per month for two-bedroom period cottages, depending on condition and location. Larger family homes with four or more bedrooms can reach £1,000 to £1,500 per month. Because Ormside has such historic character and such limited stock, individual properties can command a premium against similar homes in larger towns. Council tax, utility bills and contents insurance should all be counted when you work out the true cost.

Anyone thinking about renting here should understand how Ormside homes were built. Local sandstone is the main material, quarried from the Eden Valley for centuries and used in the village’s most important buildings. The Church of St James shows that craftsmanship well, with Romanesque details carved from stone that has weathered the years remarkably well.

Ormside Hall was built with medieval resilience in mind. Its pele tower was designed to withstand the raids that plagued the border areas between England and Scotland, with thick walls, few ground-floor openings and a layout that made the building difficult to breach. If a rental property includes elements of this older construction, tenants should remember that some features are protected by both age and listed building status.

Residential properties in Ormside usually rely on traditional methods, with solid walls rather than cavity walls, exposed timber beams and, in older homes, stone flag floors. Those features are a big part of the appeal, but they also mean maintenance is different from that of a modern house. Penetrating damp, condensation control and the care of traditional timber windows all need specialist knowledge, and our surveyors can advise when we inspect rental homes in the village.