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Farm Cottage in Canterbury, Timaru, New Zealand

Centre Hill Cottage and Organic Farm Introduction

Welcome to Centre Hill Cottage, our relaxing Canterbury farmstay, which is located near the township of Pleasant Point in the South Island of New Zealand.

Your host, Ian Blakemore, invites you to experience this beautiful, restful part of New Zealand. Centre Hill Cottage Farm Stay offers cosy private farmstay accommodation near Timaru for discerning tourists and travellers wanting to relax in an atmosphere of peaceful purity, away from the rush of urban life and the trappings of mass-market accommodation.

Drenched in scenery, Centre Hill Organic Farm sits elevated above the fertile farmland of Totara Valley, Pleasant Point, and close to wonderful fishing rivers and skifields.

The organic ambience permeates the whole farm with a sense of serenity and pureness. This, together with the backdrop of the Southern Alps, makes our Timaru bed and breakfast a unique homestay or farm cottage retreat in Canterbury.

Our Canterbury Farmstay

Centre Hill Cottage, our Canterbury farmstay near Timaru, is suitable for up to four people. The cottage is set on a gentle, north-facing slope amongst mature trees, especially some fine eucalypts and cabbage trees. A 50-metre walk connects to the farmhouse of the Centre Hill Organic Farm.

The main feature of our Timaru bed and breakfast is the large lounge and dining area which features, at one end, double doors leading to the broad timber patio decking, and at the other end a cosy woodburner that fills the cottage with warmth on winter evenings.

The living room of our Canterbury farmstay has a spacious kitchen which includes a refrigerator, microwave, benchtop electric cooker, and a full range of cutlery, crockery, and cooking utensils.

There are two bedrooms, one with a double bed and superb views to the countryside, the other with two single beds and ample storage room. Electric blankets and bedding are supplied.

This farm cottage in Canterbury has a luxurious bathroom that includes: heated floor tiles, modern shower, washbasins, three-person raised spa bath (with a view), and fan extractor. A special feature is the outdoor bath tub, with hot and cold water and peaceful views over farmland to the setting sun and the Southern Alps.

Other features of our Canterbury farmstay include:

• Private chef (bookings essential)
• Gas barbecue
• Nearby swimming pool (on the owner's property) available on request
• Beside the pool and barbecue area, a grass tennis court available on request during warmer months
• Advice on fishing and touring in the district

For further information about our bed and breakfast near Timaru, please contact us or visit our Canterbury farmstay Web site.

Canterbury Regional Information

Centre Hill has been farmed by Ian Blakemore since 1968, and gained full organic certification status in 1990. Ian raised deer for venison and velvet production, beef cattle, sheep and crops. You are welcome to tour the farm and learn about its operations during your stay at our farm cottage in Canterbury, and to sample organic produce.

For those wanting to stay "close to home" during their stay, local activities include on-property swimming pool, lawn tennis court (in season), and farm walks. The scenery (and peaceful atmosphere) is ideal for sketching, painting and photography. Pleasant Point—a five-minute drive away—has local artisan shops, restaurants, a golf course, and a steam train and museum.

Pleasant Point is also a central location from which to tour the Southern Alps and the alpine lakes of Aorangi Mount Cook National Park. Aorangi Mt Cook is a two-hour drive away, and the famous Lake Tekapo is only one hour away.

Pleasant Point is also home to several world-famous fishing rivers and other water-based recreations, including the Opua Dam at nearby Fairlie. The cottage is also one hour from the Dobson and Fox skifields, and 1.5 hours drive from the popular Mt Hutt skifield.

Farm Cottage Location

Pleasant Point is a two-hour drive from Christchurch city, or can be reached from Wellington by direct 1.5-hour flight to Timaru airport and a 12-minute drive for the rest of the journey.

Pleasant Point is the focal point of a vigorous agricultural, dairy and pastoral industry in the gently rolling, fertile South Canterbury landscape.

For further information about our bed and breakfast near Timaru, please contact us or visit our Canterbury farmstay Web site.

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