The Manse

Built in the 1830s as a residence for the local clergy, The Manse carries its history lightly but unmistakably. The tall sash windows, high ceilings and solid stone walls speak to a house built to last through confident proportion and restraint. Nearly 200 years old and seen afresh through the eye of a contemporary designer, it wears its age exceptionally well, yet retains the slightly formal, literary atmosphere of a home that has always had books on the shelves and good conversation around the table.

Inside, the house unfolds across two sitting rooms — one with a timber stove — both made for evenings when the weather makes the decision easy. The dining room anchors the social heart of the house, its large table the natural gathering point for unhurried meals and all the time in the world. The kitchen is fully equipped for the connoisseur or casual cook alike, and for those who'd rather leave it to someone else entirely, a private chef can be arranged. Outside, a decked terrace with a BBQ extends the gathering space into the open air, while a large lawn gives younger guests something The Manse's original clergy almost certainly never anticipated — a treehouse.

Sleeping up to 14, The Manse is equally suited to a family settling in for a week or a group of friends marking a special occasion — with more than enough space for everyone to find a secluded corner.