In song: The garden of Eden has vanished they say...….how wrong … on the slopes of Dromreagh, Durrus in West Cork, a walk through the one acre of wild meadow, garden, wood and field full of discrete tunnels and dens, magical places in which to hide and feel relaxed, carved out of the Forty odd acre holding, by it’s creator, garden designer Verney Naylor, that surround the carefully planned home and treasures displayed within her eye catching roadside cottage. Verney and her husband David have enjoyed this wonderful property together since they purchased it in 1973.
Features:
Tastefully renovated & extended 5 bedroom cottage set on a c. 40 acre holding.
c. 3651sq ft property.
This picturesque property is located within easy reach of Durrus village and the market town of Bantry.
C2 rated, oil fired underfloor heating with rads on 1st floor.
The property has its own generator, solar panels and alarm systems.
A mix of high quality tiles and timber flooring throughout.
Kitchen with Aga, open plan to dining area with traditional cottage fireplace.
Master bedroom with sea views from balcony.
Living room; a former cow shed with original 'A' frames still in place.
Large study/office.
Double garage and storage loft with access from within the house.
Services: Private water & Septic tank.
Property layout:
Kitchen / dining room: Aga & stove.
Stairs to 1st floor bedrooms 1 & 2 and bathroom: bath, wc, whb.
Larder
Storage room
'Flower room' with sink, worktop and storage shelves.
Loo: wc, whb.
'Nook': reading area and work space.
Sun room: a bright & spacious passage way looking onto the courtyard while linking each living space of the property.
Living room: charming split level space with stove and access to the 'Haggard' garden.
Bedrooms 3 & 4.
Bathroom: bath, shower, wc, whb.
Utility room: ample storage & worktop space.
Loo: wc, whb.
Large study with sun room.
Stairs to 1st floor master bedroom.
Master bedroom: balcony with sea views. ensuite: wc, whb, shower, bath.
See floor plans for room dimensions.
Garden description by vendor / garden designer Verney Naylor.
This informal garden, created over the last twenty years, merges with the surrounding landscape to give a feeling of being part of the natural world where bees, birds and butterflies are happy.
In the tiny Front Garden roses clamber up the walls above many different herbs. In the spring, crimson primroses, that were here when we first came to this cottage, carpet the ground. To the rear of the house, enclosed on three sides, is the north-facing Courtyard Garden with huge mossy boulders, Japanese maples and views to the distant Caha mountains.
Following the path around the building, you emerge into the west-facing Haggard Garden where your eye is drawn to Dunmanus Bay in the distance. The densely planted beds, full of Agapanthus and daylilies as well as wild ragged robin, yellow pimpernel and pignut ,are divided by wide gravel and slab paths and areas of natural stone paving. The terrace close to the house makes a lovely sitting area for watching the sunset.
A path leads through a lichen-covered gate to the more formal Kitchen Garden and Orchard, where masses of fritillaries grow between the apple trees in the spring and foxgloves, Alchemilla and aquilegias mix in between the lettuce, beans and parsley in the summer. From here follow the mown path eastwards through the wild flower meadow, observing the many different species of flowers and grasses. Even though not a large area, this patch is my pride and joy. Carpeted in April by cowslips and in mid-summer by buttercups, sorrel, yellow rattle, and even orchids, the meadow is a visual link to the fields beyond.
At the far end of the meadow pass through the gate to enter the Woodland and Stream Garden. Grass paths lead you up and down this north-east facing slope where, apart from the ash and sycamores, everything was planted less than twenty years ago. Here is my collection of winter-flowering witch hazels and snowdrops, which are followed by azaleas and rhododendrons. The woodland is shady in summer, but in autumn is ablaze with colour from all the maples and mountain ash berries.
The stream tumbles down a small ravine, eventually joining the bog. From here, crossing one of the bridges, and through the gate into the fields, you can walk to the pond, sit on a rock and be part of yet another sort of habitat.
BER: C2 BER No.115038341 Energy Performance Indicator:181.14 kWh/m²/yr
Contact Colm Cleary on 028-28122 / 086-1722276
