Cottages for Sale

‘ This castle is for those who appreciate the extraordinary’

Centre Wellington

7032 First Line (First Line and 20th Side Road) Asking price: $1.999 million Taxes: $6,312 (2020) Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 4

Square footage: About 5,000 Garage: 3

Parking: 4

MLS# X4928485

When Martha Durdin and Tony Caldwell bought t his 40- acre property in 1986, they gutted the circa 1830s stone house and added a light- filled two- storey living room ( it’s still Martha’s favourite room) plus a couple of bedrooms.

A dozen years ago, they added a second l i ving room with a fireplace and a second- floor suite. The second, more intimate living room provides a place for the family to hang out together, yet offers enough space for them to do their own thing, Durdin says.

Over the years, the home has been the destination for family holiday gatherings. She says when they bought the property, “we put in lots of pine trees for Christmas trees.” It worked out for awhile, but after taking all day to decorate a tree that had grown to 18 feet, they stopped the tradition of using homegrown trees.

However the new owners could pick up where they left off — there is still plenty of height in the 28-foot-high living room to accommodate the tall trees.

A kitchen/dining room with a walkout to a deck, a sunroom and a bedroom with a semi- ensuite bathroom are other main- floor features. Three bedrooms and an office are on the second floor. The lower level has an open- concept games room.

The 40- acre property holds special memories — Durdin and Caldwell were married in the garden. And their children have “enjoyed it immensely. There’s a lawn, fields and a stream — space to run around,” Durdin says.

“It’s bittersweet to sell. We’ve had wonderful years with family and friends, but it’s time to do something else and move on,” she says, adding they want the new owners to enjoy it as much as they have.

“It’s the perfect weekend retreat for a large family and with COVID it’s the perfect full- time residence for people working from home,” says listing agent Wayne Baguley.