A taste of UK’s country mansions nestles in the Southern Highlands

Deep in the bucolic NSW Southern Highlands the heritage-listed Anglewood House has hit the market for the first time in decades.

The heritage-listed Anglewood House, in the NSW Southern Highlands, is on the market for the first time in decades

Deep in the bucolic NSW Southern Highlands the heritage-listed Anglewood House has hit the market for the first time in decades just as the appetite for country houses and ­estates improves amid COVID-19.

Set in 2ha at Burradoo, the 13-bedroom and nine-bathroom property was built in 1890 as a country retreat and, according to selling agent ­Deirdre Brennan, of Di Jones Southern Highlands, the property is reminiscent of an up-market British country estate.

The price guide is around $8.25m with the property to be sold under an expressions-of-interest campaign.

The imposing entrance replete with black and white marble flooring

The historic property is being offered to the market for the first time in 23 years by businessman Valdis Berzin who has long divided his time between Sydney and the Southern Highlands, south of Sydney.

“It’s a great house. I have four kids and they are all grown up. We’ve had wonderful Christmases and even a wedding at the house,” says Berzin, the owner of pure spring water distributor Spring Alive. “But it is time for something smaller in the Southern Highlands.”

Berzin fully renovated Anglewood in 2002, which returned it to its former residential grandeur. The house is designed in the Queen Anne ­Revival style of architecture.

“It’s an old house, it goes back to the 1890s. It’s a large house and we had it restored as a family home.”

Berzin bought Anglewood from the government and under the conditions of sale was required to restore the house and undertake a 15-lot subdivision on adjoining land.

Selling agent Brennan says the local market has been very good throughout the COVID-19 period ­because “all the Sydney buyers are looking to locate down here to the Southern Highlands”.

“At the top end of the market properties have been moving throughout this time, that is where the interest is,” Brennan adds.

“Some really good properties have changed hands. Anybody that has a holiday house down here, relocated from Sydney to the Southern Highlands during the virus.”

Brennan says Anglewood House could be used as a family escape, or subject to council approval as a hotel, a corporate retreat, or a private club.

“It reminds me of those gorgeous estates outside London in the UK.”

Anglewood House comes with a large modern kitchen

Set in a mature old-world garden, the estate sports majestic trees and a sweeping drive. Alfresco terraces and wisteria-covered pergolas lead to sun-drenched lawns, tennis court, a 15m indoor pool, and a pool house with accommodation for live-in staff.

Brennan says the property is a rare example of a style of architecture more often seen in the UK in country mansions and large town houses of the late 19th century.

The imposing entrance replete with black and white marble flooring, captures glimpses of the three-storey central light well and flows to a drawing room, formal dining, sitting room and breakfast room, all with soaring ceilings and open fireplaces.

Magnificent windows in each room overlook the secluded gardens with fine timber panelling, rich moulded plaster, exquisite tiling and stained-glass detailing feature throughout. From the original timber staircase, two levels of accommodation contain nine bedrooms with glorious vistas of the gardens, four bathrooms and a powder room.

A separate wing with a second staircase includes a large modern kitchen, family living and dining rooms, powder room, guest apartment with large living area and bathroom, bedroom with ensuite, additional bedroom and bathroom, laundry and a two-car garage. There is ducted gas heating throughout.

Anglewood was built by the Honourable Arthur Bruce Smith KC, MHR, as a country retreat.

Di Jones agent Michael Cawthorn is also handling the sale.