Clevedon

BY CHARLOTTE COSSAR

Clevedon is all about the dream lifestyle - lush land, gracious homes and farmhouses and quaint cottages in a country village off the beaten track yet only 40 minutes, outside of peak traffic, from downtown Auckland.

The close-knit community feel of the area means Clevedon residents feel involved yet retain their private sanctuary behind their home's fence.

Originally known as Wairoa South, the area was settled about 150 years ago when the McNicol and Hoye families took up land holdings in the valley. They travelled up the Wairoa River (Clevedon River) and landed where the present bridge crosses the river near the village.

Now known for its strong links to the horse industry - its polo fields, including the Auckland Polo Club flagship McNicol Field, racing and trotting training establishments and specialised horse-related properties - Clevedon was originally a dairy, orchard and general farming area.

People wanting to experience a genuine country lifestyle mainly drive the demand for properties in the area, and it generally attracts well-heeled families who love horses, a country lifestyle and glorious rolling hills.

And, could there be a nicer area to live in? With a famous golf course and country club nearby and sprawling homes with libraries, drawing rooms and formal living areas and enough room on the section for a pool, tennis court and cottage for the gardener, Clevedon and its surrounding area has to be the pick of the crop for those wanting a life away from the city and all its trappings.

WHAT IS THERE TO DO?

If you can stand to pull yourself away from the lovely properties in the area, there are a few local vineyards producing some award-winning wines to sample, some wonderful boutique shops to browse through and great cafes and restaurants in which to enjoy the local produce.

The local amenities include an excellent primary/intermediate school, tennis, bowling, pony, boating and fishing clubs. And in the village, there is a doctor, chemist, dairy, real estate agent, petrol station, churches, a pub and many other small service businesses.

Every Sunday there is a market in the centre of the village, and in November the A&P show is a favourite, especially its wine and food enclosure.

HOUSE PRICES

In this area, subdividing is restricted to stop too much development in the city's rural fringe areas, so the area has some lovely big sections on mainly fertile, flat land.

Properties range from residential homes in the village to large farms, priced from the mid $300,000s for a modest village home, $400,000-$500,000 for a cottage on a small block, to multi-million-dollar luxury homes and larger farms.