“A Special Home of Gentle Charm & History With Views Of Rich Farmland & Of The Beautiful Hunter River”
On 3535sq metre Grounds (Over 3/4acre)
History:
Pugh Farm Cottage is situated just outside the historic Hunter Valley village of Morpeth. It rests upon a parcel of land of that was granted to James Griffith on 30 November, 1823. The original Pugh Farm consisted of 200 acres and adjoined the 2, 560 acre lot granted to Lieutenant Edward Close in 1822.
It has witnessed the history and endeavours of our days in the late 1800’s. Days when boats plied the river to & from the river port of Morpeth with cargoes of local red cedar, supplies, adventurous new settlers to the colony, comforts from England for those established settlers etc while the horse drawn coaches did brisk business perhaps stopping overnight at The Wool Team Inn just a short distance away. In the 1900’s steam trains on the now defunct line to Morpeth, would have fascinated this gentle soul but now it relishes the tranquillity & beauty of its setting without the trains. The 21st century has been kind to Pugh Farm Cottage
Today: 111 Years Later
Set back from the street, Pugh Farm Cottage enjoys an elevated but secluded position that takes in almost 360 degree views up the valley and across to the Brokenback Range.
Over the past five years, the restoration of Pugh Farm Cottage has been a labour of love for its owners. Experienced renovators, the couple previously owned and restored a heritage listed terrace in Newcastle’s historic East end.
Pugh Farm Cottage is largely double brick cavity and retains many of its charming original features. A gabled roof, decorative wrought iron and sandstone veranda compliment the tuck-pointed exterior. Its original stained glass windows and hand made window panes are a rarity.
The welcoming entry foyer (recently papered with Laura Ashley wallpaper) has an ornate plasterwork ceiling. An interesting feature of which is the pineapple design – a traditional American Colonial motif which symbolises contentment and prosperity. (Interestingly, a small book found in a local antique shop written by the American evangelist Harlan Page, title The Memoir of Harlan Page - is inscribed ‘Raworth, 1896.’
The elegantly appointed formal sitting room features the same original ornate plasterwork ceiling, which is complemented by an antique chandelier. The curtains were custom made by a local interior decorator from William Morris fabric, imported from England. A solid cast iron top of the range Jotul wood stove, imported from Norway, has only had 2 years’ use. It sits on a newly installed marble hearth stone and surround which complements the original Arts and Craft mantle. New ironbark floor boards extend through to an informal lounge/TV room which enjoys natural light from a large lead light sky light.
The separate adjoining dining room also has new floorboards. An original fireplace and mantel are the focal point of the room. Another French door leads off the dining room to a private, enclosed outdoor area.
The study adjoins the sitting room, and has matching William Morris curtains. A granite hearth stone has also been installed, along with a new mantle. A gas ‘coal look’ fire has been installed into the original cast iron fire place. The 12 foot pressed tin ceiling and original fan light are in excellent condition.
Internally, pressed tin ceilings, ornate plasterwork and fretwork and the restoration of fan lights to working order, retain the integrity of the home. Elegant, high quality brass heritage switches (some with dimmers), French doors, lacquered natural woodwork, and heritage-style wooden fly screens (recently installed) all lend a high quality cohesiveness to the house.
The bathroom is appointed with Italian marble floor tiles which provide a stylish platform for the freestanding solid cast iron slipper bath. A real ‘time waster’, it was made in Germany and imported from a company in Oxford, England. Shatterproof mirrored sliding doors open to reveal an amenable European-style laundry, huge linen press and storage area. The gold plated taps and fittings and elegant wash stand are also top of the range and purchased from the same company in Oxford. Under floor heating (used once), a frameless shower screen and Laura Ashley curtains complete this luxurious space.
A separate lavatory has matching marble tiles and top of the range fittings. The vanity was basin imported from the same company in Oxford.
The large eat in kitchen is the pièce de resistance! Worthy of an English country magazine, it was fashioned by Morpeth Timber Kitchens using recycled old timber, real brass butt hinges and traditional finishes. It has granite bench tops and a most sought after porcelain French country sink – again, hand made in France and imported.
The kitchen fireplace was restored and tiled and a custom made industrial range hood was installed into the original fireplace to accommodate the ILVE stove’s tepanyaki plate and double oven. Traditional in style, the oven is black enamel, has brass fittings and took six months to import from Italy. A Bosch dishwasher is also installed. New custom made cedar windows and heritage style screens, curtains made from William Morris pattern fabric (again, sent over from in England), and the antique shelf above the hearth make this the quintessential country kitchen.
There are 4/5 bedrooms altogether. The two front rooms enjoy a magnificent view up the valley. They are large double bedrooms, with 12 foot ornate pressed tin ceilings and newly carpeted with best quality wool sisal style carpet. A further two bedrooms are located at the rear of the house and are both newly painted and carpeted. A fifth double room has a working (gas) fireplace and is currently used as a study.
Ceiling fans and air-conditioning are adequate climate control – the double brick cavity usually allows the house to stay cool without a need to use either.
Included in the sale is a quantity of matching ironbark floorboards - enough to replace one room. Several spare tiles and pavers that match those in the house and garden are also included in the sale.
A Chubb back-to-base alarm system and sensor lights have been installed, along with outdoor lighting (on the barn and garage) for security. Lockwood window locks have also been installed on all windows.
New heritage style fly screens and door were fitted in the last couple of months . These are practical aspects introduced to not jar the character of the home.
Enjoyment of Outdoors & Practical Issues:
The double garage includes a gleaming custom built solid timber workbench, which would suit any stylish kitchen!
A new septic system (tanks and pump) was installed about 4 years ago, and the transpiration area upgraded. Ag drains have also been constructed around the property.
An outside terrace and stairs at the rear of the property lead to a rose garden stocked with David Austin and heritage roses. After wandering through the rose garden, a new wooden gate leads to the rest of the large semi-rural block, which includes an original slab barn and other nominal outbuildings, including a chicken run. A cedar cubby house with a cute veranda, only three years old, will stay under the 100 year old pine tree.
The block is scattered with an abundance of very mature trees – jacaranda, pine and cedar - some of which date back to the original house. The old orchard provides fruits of every description: pears, peaches, plums, lemons, crab apples, figs, cherries, apples. The shade of the hundred year old pear tree has been a particular favourite of the children.
Extensive hedging has been planted down the drive and around the pool. A tall hedge, approximately 90 metres in length, has been planted down one boundary, for privacy. Watering systems (which incorporate a large rainwater tank) facilitate watering.
A large 10m in-ground cement pool and huge summer house sit at the end of the block to capitalise on the 180 degree views from that vantage point, over the Brokenback Range. (A water tank has been installed to top up the pool, and to irrigate the surrounding hedge and fruit trees.)
Finished with bead-crete and solar heated, the pool adjoins the summer house. The summer house has a locked room which houses the pool pump. Electricity, water and a TV aerial have been connected.
The summer house and pool look out onto some of the best views in the valley (They were situated here because of the views) – over the river to open fields and green pastures and up to the striking silhouette of the Brokenback Range - which altogether invokes a sense of space, tranquillity and real country living but within minutes of shopping centres and essential amenities.
Beautifully located, it is just minutes from the heritage village of Morpeth, 30 minutes from Newcastle Beaches and Pokolbin Vineyards and 15 minutes from the F3.
It offers a very special environment to be savoured and cherished and a wonderful sense of touching history.
PRD Nationwide Hunter Valley
107 Newcastle Rd East Maitland 2323
PH 02 49342000
