A massive private estate on the edge of Bassenthwaite Lake is for sale for the first time in 100 years.
Higham Estate, in Setmurthy and home to the Lakes Distillery, is on the market with Edwin Thompson.
The price of the estate has not been revealed.
The estate has been owned by the Fisher family since it was bought in 1904 by Joseph Fisher, who made his fortune from a shipping business in Newcastle.
Matthew Bell, of Edwin Thompson, said: “This is a completely unique opportunity. We have not seen a sale of this kind for a number of years and expect interest to be high.
“Higham Estate provides a wonderful mixed all-round estate offering residential, agricultural, sporting and even commercial investment with the current commercial tenant being the renowned Lakes Distillery.”
The estate includes six restored traditional properties with outbuildings and is for sale by private treaty as a whole or in 12 separate lots.
The 1,171-acre estate includes 979 acres of farmland and 178 acres of commercial woodland.
The total estate income is currently around £200,000 a year and Edwin Thompson said there would be “significant potential to increase this rental income by undertaking a number of rent reviews and property improvements”.
The estate also includes the Eel Settings fishing beat on the River Derwent, which has historically been one of the top autumn salmon rivers, the estate agent said.
One of the six buildings is Elva Plain Farm, a four-bedroom traditional farmhouse and extensive range of buildings and Low Barkhouse, which is home to Lakes Distillery, which opened in 2014.
The distillery has a long-term commercial lease on the property until 2037, with an option to extend.
A spokesman added: “The buildings on Higham Estate showcase traditional architecture with magnificent features and have been developed over time whilst still maintaining their rich heritage.”
Part of the estate is let as Cockermouth’s golf course.
