Situated on a pretty corner in the village of Ranelagh, the historic property of Clifton dates back to the 1850′s, with the main house dating from 1865. From the entrance down the sweeping driveway, along the cypress hedge and on to the extensive gardens, this remarkable property is like another world. Steeped in history and surrounded by old gardens and trees, Clifton has long been considered a landmark in the Huon Valley. The property was at one time part of a large farming enterprise, and owned by several generations of the same family, until it changed hands for the first time in 2000.
The property now consists of 5 acres of garden, parkland and paddock with the grounds, Main house and adjoining Oast house all listed by the National trust. In addition to the 25-room house, there are two cottage rooms for guest or staff accommodation, a 4-car carport, original 3 storey hop drying kiln (Oast House) with guest accommodation, two apple pickers’ huts and several small shed/structures scattered through the property.
Clifton is currently used as a gracious family residence just as it was for 150 years, but it was equally successful as a boutique bed and breakfast for around ten years, and was the foremost accommodation provider in the Huon Valley, with visitors coming to the area just to visit the house and gardens. The business picked up numerous tourism awards and accolades, and outranked any other accommodation business in the area for style and standard.
Original features throughout include timber paneling, several timber fireplaces and a stunning marble fireplace, large feature leadlight, ceiling roses, wide skirting and architraves, as well as all original doors and windows intact.
The house is centrally heated with two large reverse cycle systems, giving the option of isolating one side of the house for heating or cooling. There are several gas hot water cylinders servicing individual bathrooms, to ensure hot water flow is not interrupted, and five of the main house bathrooms have under floor tile heating. The house has hard wired smoke alarms in most rooms. All downstairs rooms excepting the kitchen wing have full length lined drapes.
The kitchen wing consists of the larder, kitchen and breakfast area. The larder is naturally cool (being in the sandstone section) and has the original meat safe and would make a great wine cellar. The kitchen has been upgraded to a modern workable version with Tasmanian oak bench tops, Falcon gas stove with double electric oven, and bespoke cabinetry and the original casement windows feature hand blown glass.
The breakfast area forms part of the kitchen and is used for informal family dining. The original fireplace mantel surrounds the fireplace which now houses a Saxon wood heater. The door from this part of the house leads to the back garden areas.
From the breakfast area is a butlers’ pantry, with Tasmanian Oak cabinetry. There are large drawers for china and table linen, and small drawers for cutlery as well as shelving, fitted bar fridge and a purpose built wine shelf.
The library has 13′ ceilings the original fireplace, with the built in bookshelves and cabinets being more recent additions and spanning an ample area for book storage, the stunning corner box window and french doors, this room has an adjoining bathroom including spa bath and has been used as a B&B suite in the past. the formal drawing room is one of the homes’ highlights and makes a wonderful room for gatherings. Features include the beautiful marble fireplace, large windows that capture the views are to both the western and southern areas of the grounds. The grand front foyer was at one time the main entry to the house, and includes both the warm timber paneling and the impressive original leadlight feature the upper floor offers views to the oast house, the gardens and sleeping beauty, and offers … bedrooms, an office and .. bathrooms and was used as the owners quarters while the property was running as a B&B.
One of the most exciting features is the oast house which consists of the hop kiln which was built in 1912 (although the original barn section was built during the 1800′s), and used for the purpose of drying hops, with the adjoining tower looming at the front. this building is national trust listed and a heritage gem, being the only oast house of its kind south of hobart the oast house still houses the original hop press and drying kiln and the options for the building are endless. the current owners have meticulously restored the building adding a luxury accommodation suite in the front. The Oast house now also has mezzanine levels to enable proper viewing and movement through the entire building, while maintaining historical integrity.
To add to the Oast house there are 2 other accommodation cottages “Tilly’s Cottage” was remodeled in 2007 out of an existing 1960′s paint shed, and used for bed and breakfast guests, and later reserved for private use
And “The Buttery” was bu