The views are the main attraction of this large country cottage overlooking Bassenthwaite and with a panoramic vista taking in some of the Lake District's most popular scenes, the Whinlatter, Newlands and Borrowdale fells among them.

"The views are the selling point," said Martin Mawson, owner of Dalton Cottage in Bassenthwaite. "It has unrivalled views across Bassenthwaite and down to Cockermouth and back up and over the mountains.

"It's a fantastic view - that is its unique selling point, the views of Ullock Pike and across to withope. It stands above Bassenthwaite Lake and has views right down to the water and of Keswick, Scafell and all through there. From the garden you can see everywhere."

Dalton Cottage has been in Martin's possession for many years and has been used as holiday let as well as a family home.

It sates back to the 1720s and is full of charming period features - the quintessential Lakeland cottage, he calls it - with thick walls, deep window sills, beams, dado rails and feature fireplaces.

The original cottage has been extended and raised in height over the years and is now a substantial detached property set within walking distance of Bassenthwaite village.

It has oil central heating and double glazing with two reception rooms, three bedrooms and mature gardens.

It is approached from the road by way of a secluded private driveway to ample parking and a turning area.

A traditional stone-built porch with slate roof opens in to a reception hall which has lovely period features including a dressed stone fireplace with oak mantle and exposed oak-panelled wall.

This space also has an attractive feature alcove with slate sill and wooden lintel, understairs storage cupboard and door to the lounge.

This room has twin wall lights and cast-iron open fire grate with slate heart and wooden mantle.

From the reception hall a doors leads to the back of the cottage and the dining kitchen.

This good-sized room is well fitted with oak wall and base units, an integral Belling double oven and grill, Zanussi ceramic hob with concealed extractor over, integral Prima dishwasher and under-worktop concealed fridge and freezer.

The kitchen has a front window with open views and window seat, exposed beams, a central pillar and terracotta tiled floor which flows through to a back porch and a cloakroom.

In the reception hall a door opens to a concealed staircase with hand rail rising to a first-floor landing with pine banister and spindles. Doors lead to the three bedrooms.

The master bedroom suite has a landing/study/dressing area with Velux roof light and double airing cupboard with slatted shelving.

The bedroom has a built-in cupboard and the three-piece bathroom half-tiled walls with floral inset feature tiles, shaver light, extractor fan and a pine ceiling.

The remaining two double bedrooms have en-suite shower rooms.

Outside are wraparound gardens with spectacular views, a sweeping lawn, patio and gravelled areas with natural stone walls, flower and shrub borders, mature conifers and bushes and mature beech hedging.

Dalton Cottage might suit a variety of purchasers including a local family, an investor or those seeking a second or holiday home within the National Park.

Martin said: "I also think it might be of interest to professional people working in Sellafield, Workington or Whitehaven.

"We have good amenities, it's close to Keswick and only 20-25 minutes from Workington and Whitehaven

"You could do Sellafield in 45 minutes. It's perhaps a little bit further out than the average Sellafield traveller but the last 20 minutes of the journey home is easy.

"And we're within close proximity of Bassenthwaite Primary School and the secondary school at Kewick, as well as being in walking distance of hotels that serve meals and a pub, the Sun Inn."

Dalton Cottage, High Side, Bassenthwaite, is for sale at £495,000 from Smeatons Estate Agents.