Pukekohe: Grand old dame

Character, elegance, charm and plenty of space for a game of hide and seek are what this fabulous property is all about, as VICKI HOLDER discovers.

Those who hanker after space, tranquillity and the elegance of yesteryear will be swept away by this Victorian kauri gem that's just half an hour from Auckland.

An original 1880s homestead, Heritage House is a beautiful character home surrounded by huge, flat lawns where children can roam safely among the trees and adults can play lawn tennis.

In the heat of summer, the family and guests can cool off in an in-ground swimming pool nestled in a sheltered courtyard on the sunny, northern side of the house.

Neighbouring homes can be seen in the distance, but apart from the occasional car that comes down this rambling country road, the only sound that intrudes on the silence is cattle and horses grazing in the nine paddocks divided by new post-and-rail fencing that form part of this property.

Only minutes from the township of Pukekohe and a short drive from the motorway, it's handy to shops and amenities but far enough from Auckland to make the owners feel that they've left the rat race behind.

Immersed in sunshine, the home provides a heart-warming escape. Fresh paintwork and modern furnishings overlay original character features to create a relaxed, warm, contemporary ambience.

The sash windows and french doors feature small panes of glass and white woodwork. In the dining room, they form a simple backdrop on the tea-coloured walls. Without curtains, the windows let light flood in and wrap the room in the peaceful green of the countryside. At night, a log fire on a brick hearth pumps out heat to ensure diners stay put well into the wee hours.

Meals are prepared in the tongue-and-groove rimu kitchen next door. Quick snacks can be enjoyed at the breakfast bar, while in the barbecue season dinner is more likely to happen outside on the sunny patio overlooking the pool.

Natural sisal-look carpet is in the dining room, the lounge next door and throughout the bedrooms. The lounge is painted in warm, tea tones, which are complemented by heavy, taupe-hued drapes hanging from metal rods. A brick fireplace keeps the area cosy and an inverted, bell-shaped, frosted glass and metal light fitting creates a soft, comfortable light.

As guests pass through the foyer to the lounge, they pass two large bedrooms - the master and the children's room. Both open to the veranda through french doors framed with heavy drapes. The master has good storage in one single and two double wardrobes. There is a third bedroom at the entry to the back door. A spacious laundry/storage room off the kitchen stands between this room and the rest of the house.

Across the cobbled driveway from the house, the double garage is flanked by several more rooms.

There's a workshop, a tackroom for horse-riding gear and another toilet. The other side is joined by the original Tuakau jail, which was moved here many years ago. With its timber-lined floors, walls and ceiling, it now makes a generous entertainment area and playroom, as well as quite a talking point among friends.

Further down the farm, an old woodshed provides a vast covered area for storing vehicles and farm implements. Should the children tire of being inside on wet, winter days, it's a wonderful playground for a game of hide and seek - something you'd rarely find in a city home.

Vital statistics:

ADDRESS: 156 Jericho Rd, Pukekohe East, Pukekohe.

FEATURES: Well-presented character villa on farmlet; nine paddocks with new post-and-rail electric fencing; large flat lawns with lawn tennis court and net; fibreglass swimming pool; separate dining and lounge; three bedrooms; two fireplaces; double garage plus workshop and tackroom; second toilet; old Tuakau jail used for entertainment room; woolshed.

SIZE: Land area approx 3.75ha.

AUCTION: 1pm, August 24, on site.

AGENT: Jean-Paul Winckel, Harcourts, Pukekohe. Ph 09 238 4244 bus; 09 236 0410 ah; 0274 977 272 mob.