Mystery woman and cottage. Requesting help to identify location (UK) and date

[Westby]

I've attached a photo - 11 x 8 cm mounted on card measuring 16 x 13.5cm. There is no information on the back of the photo, or anywhere on the card mount as to photographer, subject or anything else.

This is one of very few photos passed down from my father's family but I have been unable to determine anything about the subject, the location or the date.

Depending to which side of my father's family the photo relates, it could have been taken in Westmorland, Yorkshire, Lancashire (around Casterton, Kirkby Lonsdale, Sedburgh, Dent, Birkdale, Southport, Ribby with Wrea, Preston, etc) or in Kent.

I'd appreciate any suggestions to help date the photo, and suggestions about the cottage and its location. The cottage seems a little unusual to me, so perhaps that might provide some clues?

Thanks

[LizzieL]

The door and window surrounds look like stone, I would think that's more likely to be in the north of England where stone was more plentiful than in Kent.
 

[sarah]

Lovely photograph Westby. It does not look to me like Birkdale, Southport because the geography is relatively flat in these areas. It does look more fitting with Westmoreland and Kirkby Lonsdale area.

Sarah

[jim1]

Datewise, Edwardian.

[Mike in Cumbria]

The house is a very typical Westmorland cottage.

Mike

[trystan]

I've sharpened the picture up a touch in case it helps anybody.

The curtains in one window in each house appears to be drawn. Is this picture to mark a bereavement?

Trystan

[Mike in Cumbria]

These are typical of the area - they're not whitewashed like yours is, although a great many are.  You can see how similar the architectural details are to your photo.

Mike

[Mike in Cumbria]

More.

To be honest, your photo could be almost anywhere in this part of the world.

Mike

[Westby]

Thanks all for your generous comments and photos.  Much appreciated.

I'm pleased you seem to confirm the location is likely to be Westmorland.  I was thinking that also, and the photos posted by Mike certainly look similar.  However, the windows inn my cottage are different from these photos and from any I've seen elsewhere.  As you'll notice, they are quite large for the building, and only have small openings.  I've had suggested the cottage could have belonged weaver's or other trades needing plenty of light to work.

Photo dating has suggested 1901-08 based on the woman's dress. It's also been suggested the photographer was probably an itinerant with no fixed studio address (hence the lack of information on the mount). In the Victorian and Edwardian eras, travelling operators toured the hamlets, villages and small towns where there was no permanent photographer and photographed local residents by appointment.

Thanks again for your suggestions and comments.  Hopefully we can continue to narrow down the location.