Whitford: England dreaming

A transplanted house has brought comfort and family joy to its English owner.

41 Porterfield Road Whitford Willowbank arrived at Whitford by barge 12 years ago, yet she looks as though she has resided on her new land for all of her 100 years.

The gracious mansion was built in Victoria Avenue, Remuera, and for many years was the home of the Winstone family who founded the famous New Zealand concrete company. A later owner thought her perfect for his rural setting, and due to her double storey height had her brought to Whitford by water rather than road.

The current owners, Ian and Sue McLennan, bought her four years ago, partly because the house and property reminded Sue of her native England. It has proved a lucky family house for them - they've become parents twice to Luke, 2, and Connor, 4 months.

The long driveway sets the scene for the house that awaits at the end. Lined with London plane trees turning autumn gold, the driveway takes you past one of two ponds on the property.

The entranceway circles a garden and fountain, and is edged by liquid ambers and pin oaks ablaze in their autumn finery.

The original part of the house has had its character features beautifully restored - panelled walls, matai floors, ceiling beams and leadlight windows. The formal lounge could double as a miniature ballroom. At the rear of the house a new kitchen and family room have been sympathetically added in a conservatory style. There is a raised open fire here, another open fire in the formal lounge, and gas fireplaces in two of the upstairs bedrooms (central heating also keeps the house warm in winter and cool in summer). Upstairs is an enormous games room, its floor painted in playful blue and white checks. Retained features such as the cloakroom and powder room off the main entrance, and the clawfoot bath recall the house's history. His and hers dressing rooms off the master bedroom are a luxurious touch.

Window seats in many rooms invite you to sit and gaze across the six hectares of land surrounding the house. Four hectares is taken care of by a local farmer who uses it for grazing his cows, the other two by Ian's ride-on mower.

"He was permanently attached to his mower after we moved in," laughs Sue. "It was his favourite toy."

There is ample room to store this, and any other toys, in the four car garage.

Breaking up the grass is a children's playground, a rose garden in memory of Sue's mother, and a bricked outdoor dining area shaded by an arbor.

Across the way is the second pond with a wee jetty.

"It's been wonderful to have all this space for the dogs and Luke to run around, and you can be as loud as you like because no one can hear you," says Sue. "It's so private that as soon as you drive through the gates you feel like you're on your own little island."

Ian runs his accountancy business from home, but for those needing to make the trip into the city, a half hour ferry from Pine Harbour avoids the motorway.

Sue and Ian are planning a move to a smaller property, but would like to recreate the feel of Willowbank, which Sue named for the willow trees on the land. They also remind her of England, a reason why she'd like to stay living in the Whitford area.

Vital Statistics

SIZE: Land 6ha; house 660sq m incl garage.

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected above $2 million. Auction May 30.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 3.15-4.15pm.

CONTACT: Gloria Pennell, Ray White, ph 535 8128, 0275 421 031.

FEATURES: Two storey restored Victorian mansion with new kitchen; central heating; four fireplaces; games room; formal living and dining rooms in addition to family dining and living; land includes two ponds and 4ha of grazing paddocks.