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Cottage within the magical gardens of Flaxmere

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your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Cottage within the magical gardens of Flaxmere

Outdoor dining
TV, fireplace
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
2 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
Property grounds

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4100 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Pool
    Pool
  • Outdoor space
    Outdoor space
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning
  • Fireplace
    Fireplace

Explore the area

Map
Hurunui, Masons Flat
  • Flaxmere Garden
    1 min walk
  • Hawarden Golf Club
    9 min drive
  • Hurunui High Country Track
    61 min drive

Room options

Similar properties

About the area

Masons Flat

In Masons Flat .You'll be within half a mile (1 km) of Flaxmere Garden and 9 miles (15 km) of Hawarden Golf Club. Culverden Gallery is within 20 miles (32 km) and Weka Pass Railway is within 32 miles (40 km).

What's nearby

  • Flaxmere Garden - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Waipara Springs Winery - 28 min drive - 34.7 km
  • Hanmer Springs Thermal Reserve - 55 min drive - 68.3 km
  • Hurunui High Country Track - 61 min drive - 43.3 km
  • Mons Sex Millia - 101 min drive - 110.7 km

Restaurants

  • ‪The Hogget - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Hurunui River Wines - ‬14 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Cottage within the magical gardens of Flaxmere

Flaxmere Cottage is a place to enjoy at any time of the year. Those who stay in the cottage will have free access to the beautiful and well renowned Flaxmere garden. The garden lies at a latitude of 43 degrees south and 330 meters above sea level.
As much as possible Penny Zino has tried to make Flaxmere garden part of the natural landscape. Stone walls have been built by Penny over many years, and all have survived the earthquakes. The stone walls in the rose garden repeat the lines of the riverbed. Bridge timbers come from the Waitohi road bridge when it was dismantled. Vistas incorporating the peak of Mt The Koa which is part of the Southern alps are a predominant feature, and are what this garden is known for. Water had had a huge part to play in the peace and bird life which is generated here. The are various areas of planting which lead from one to the next, each area has its own style, and Penny's latest ideas have been incorporating Native NZ grasses with perennials. A new dry garden is the latest project, which will have no water over the summer apart from rain falls. It is covered with 7cm of gravel. The importance to of gardens to Penny is to create an empathy with the land and feed the soul.
The South Island in New Zealand falls into the oscillating trade winds of the southern oceans. Temperatures in the summer can range between 25-40 degrees, and very hard frost up to -15 degrees, in the winter. For Penny, the change of seasons are very important. Plants that give wonderful spring flowers and then magnificent autumn colour are always given top priority. The change of seasons is a huge part of the joy off living, and it is one of the things that Canterbury does best.
Just one hour from Christchurch international airport the surroundings of this magical place offers lots of outdoor opportunities as listed above. The cottage is situated on the road which is the gateway to the Lake Sumner and National Park. Hanmer Springs with its magnificent hot springs is about 45 minutes’ drive. The cottage has Wifi and a log burner available.
Special conditions:
The cottage is no smoking inside. Guests are expected to respect the ambiance of the garden and soundings. The swimming pool is available for guests to use.

Extras: Linen (included); NOTE: Under Kiwi bach tradition you are expected to: Clean the house and do the dishes before you leave;

Property manager

Penny_Zino

Languages

English

Property amenities

Ski

  • Close to skiing
  • Ski privileges

Pool/Spa

  • Private pool
  • Fence around the pool

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Toaster
  • Spices
  • Coffee/tea maker

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 1 bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided
  • Shampoo
  • Toilet paper
  • Hair dryer
  • Soap

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • TV

Outdoor areas

  • Porch or lanai
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Next to a golf course
  • In a village

Things to do

  • Golf privileges
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Golf nearby
  • Winery tours nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Fishing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Unit size: 1076.4 sq ft (100 sq m)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector in each accommodation.

Property is also known as

Cottage Within the Magical Gardens of Flaxmere Cottage
Cottage Within the Magical Gardens of Flaxmere Masons Flat

Cottage within the magical gardens of Flaxmere Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 94 out of 114 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 19 out of 114 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 114 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 114 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 114 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Flo T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Memorable 3 night's Stay
It has been smooth communication with the host, Penny, an avid gardener. The cottage is set in a beautiful garden. There are 2 bedrooms that accommodate 5 adults. As there are only 2 of us, so we took the front room with King size bed. We like firm mattress and we had excellent rest. All 3 nights, we were treated to a visual feast of stars, such a stunning display. comfortable and
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

chris d.

Liked: Cleanliness
peace and quiet
Thanks for a beautiful cottage and location. Also thank you for Frankie's company. Cheers
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Leslyn G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Weekend away
Lovely chilled out weekend
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Conor K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice location
We had one criteria for our weekend away: Fireplace. Didn't disappoint on that count. The beautiful gardens and house were a bonus :)
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Graeme

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
beautiful garden, quiet and peaceful penny was very hospitable
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Allene

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful surroundings, lovely home with everything you needed for a comfortable stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Pleasant with gorgeous garden walks
It was most enjoyable. The only quibble was that some of the kitchen utensils weren't the best, making it difficult to prepare vegetables!
Stayed 9 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Natasha

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Love this place, so rewinding and switching off from busy scenery to such beautifully scenery from our cottage window and walking through such beautiful garden. We rode our mountains bikes close-by- A W E S O M E
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joel H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely lovely place to unwind
We enjoyed the property so much we didn’t want to go anywhere. The gardens are exceptional!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sam W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quaint Cottage
Lovely stay at a beautiful cottage, surrounded by gorgeous gardens. Perfect escape from the city and the pool was a very lovely and cared for bonus.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pat f.

Liked: Cleanliness
What a lovely place
Peaceful, relaxing & so comfortable & the garden is such a credit to Penny, just so much to see so I’ll.be back so see it in winter Thank you Penny
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gary & Marylin S., Utah

Liked: Cleanliness
Time to relax!
Beautiful gardens, wonderful host. Perfect cottage to relax. Thanks Penny
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Paul S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Second stay
Great location, great cottage and Penny is a great host.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mark E., Christchurch

Liked: Cleanliness
A Perfect Tonic
Summer or Winter Flaxmere is the perfect place to unwind and leave the troubles of your particular world at the gate. A warm welcome from Penny, a log fire and acres of beautiful gardens to wander though. Add good friends, great food and a bottle or two of your favourite wine and you have the perfect weekend. Truly, a tranquil oasis for the soul. Thank you Penny, we will be back again soon.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jude F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Serene
A beautiful stay in a lovely cottage on the most beautiful gardens. Thank you for sharing you most wonderful property.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mel R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Tranquil bliss
Lovely peaceful setting. Loved the birdlife and being able to explore the gardens.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tracy B., Matamata, New Zealand

Liked: Cleanliness
Heaven on earth
Beautiful, peaceful getaway
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

David and Mary A.

Liked: Cleanliness
South Island Highlight
The beautiful garden is a joy to visit and superbly planted with a magnificent combination of interesting plants and spaces. It was a privilege to stay in the well-appointed peaceful cottage and view the garden at different times of the day. One of our favourite gardens in NZ. Penny is a welcoming hostess who took the time to share her extensive gardening knowledge with us. A highlight of our trip around the Sth Island.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

8/10 Good

Sarita M.

Idyllic!
Lovely wee cottage within such a beautiful setting. Comfortable with everything we needed for a weekend away.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

LJ R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing place 10/10
The gardens were amazing and the weather was brilliant. My friends and i really enjoyed the peacefulness, cozy fire and swimming poo. We will definitely be back
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brett N.

Liked: Cleanliness
The silence was deafening
You can't get a place that's feels more away from it all. Just the birds and the breeze.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

frederik c.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful garden and environment - highly recommended !
We had a fantastic stay, among this beautiful garden and place. Penny and her family have created a wonderful garden and environment, and she is a lovely host. Thank you Penny :-)
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Matthew C.

Liked: Cleanliness
A city gardeners dream
Is it the birdsong, the frogs softly chirruping, the sussurating leaves, the scent of a hundred roses, the green-limned sightlines to the foothills of the alps, or the meandering paths between the garden's many rooms? Whatever it is, something irrefusable at Flaxmere eased away our urban stress in seconds. Recommended as a base for a weekend exploring the upper Hurunui and learning some great gardening from an expert and her land.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

James P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely, Peaceful Getaway - Highly Recommend
We stayed for a birthday weekend, and it was more than I had hoped. The home and garden combine to create a feeling of calming beauty and relaxation that other accommodations simply can't offer. The endless sound of birdsong during the day and frogs at night help the mind escape. Decades of hard work are evident in an absolutely stunning retreat. Penny herself was an added bonus, a kind and down-to-earth soul. Thank you for sharing your space for a great weekend.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

emily l.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Cottage
Looking forward to staying again one day so I can spend more time in Penny’s magnificent garden 😍
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022