Classically quaint

Encapsulating the charm of traditional English cottage living, this impressive home has an added bonus for water lovers, as VICKI HOLDER reports.

Anyone touring through the English Cotswolds cannot fail to fall in love with the quaint picturesque beauty of the homes dotted around the region.

The endearing cottage style has been replicated extensively around the world. But you hardly expect to come across something similar in coastal Glendowie in Auckland's eastern suburbs.

When you first encounter this brick and cedar weatherboard home, with its steeply pitched orange-tiled roof, you are instantly caught up in fond memories of your holiday ramble.

Down a tranquil right-of-way and surrounded by beautiful English-style planting, this secluded home captures exquisitely the relaxed charm of the English countryside. Being in Auckland and not the Cotswolds, however, it offers the owner the added bonus of fishing and swimming at the end of the garden. There's even your own mooring a few metres from the beach.

Having had just four owners, the house was originally built on three land titles in the 1930s by the Babich family. A subsequent owner subdivided the property and sold one of the sections, though this house kept a large portion of land and the tennis court.

Height restrictions have been enforced on both properties, so each one has retained its stunning harbour views. In addition, they have separate beach access.

The home is first spied nestling behind a cute little gate, which opens to a small piece of lawn that boasts a very English-style vegetable garden. Although you're tempted to take this route to the back door, the main entry is along the far side via the driveway.

Festooned with rambling roses, the generous cedar porch is lit by an old copper ship's lantern. Framing the magnificent view, the leadlight windows look out across the impressive tennis court.

This old house has been well-maintained and is in fine condition. The interior has been refitted within the last 10 years with tasteful quality furnishings to retain its particularly English character.

Three children's bedrooms extend off the large central entrance foyer, which features pale, elegantly striped wallpaper. The bedrooms have large modern hand-painted wardrobes and striking curtain treatments in pretty English fabrics. A small study with a built-in desk and shelves offers harbour views to Musick Point, Motuihe and Browns Island.

Even the small bathroom that serves these rooms features the same delightful leadlighting found in every window. Although fairly new and with a shower over the bath, the bathroom's steel, green, tongue-and-groove wall panels and the Carrara marble vanity top suggest a bathroom of older vintage.

Double leadlight doors lead to the formal lounge and the adjacent dining area snuggled between the downstairs bedrooms and the kitchen. A log-burning Hinuera stone fireplace sets a grand tone and keeps the living areas cosy in winter.

Opening to a paved terrace, double leadlight bifolds and casement windows cool the room in summer. Shaded by a pergola draped with wisteria and a large old elm tree, the terrace steps down to a grassy lawn and a broad garden bed.

Storage is plentiful in the casual living area. Hand-painted, classically inspired cabinetry lines two of the walls and has shelving for photographs. A pretty, pale green, English country kitchen, which features decorative fretwork, looks over the benchtops to a casual breakfast area and a window seat.

The stairs next to the back door lead to the large master bedroom suite and the attic office. The bedroom commands an awesome panoramic view stretching from Rangitoto Island to Bucklands Beach. This spacious addition includes a his-and-hers walk-in wardrobe and an en suite bathroom with skylights in the roof.

The double garage and workshop are topped by a fifth bedroom.

Bringing a wealth of romance to its harbourside setting, this large old home is the perfect family-size retreat.

Vital statistics

Address: 487 Riddell Rd, Glendowie.

Features: English cottage-style home with landscaped garden; Hauraki Gulf and island views; private beach access; mooring for 40 ft boat; five bedrooms; office and study; two bathrooms; double garage and workshop; full-size Astroturf tennis court.

Size: Land area 2976 sq m on two titles of 1999 sq m and 977 sq m.

Price: $1.5 m.

Agent: Celia Carson, LJ Hooker. Ph 575 9119 bus; 521 5252 ah; 025 516 851 mob.