Raven Lodge – Opaka

Raven Lodge, Opaka

This one's been looked after properly for the last ten years and it shows. The previous owners put real thought into the place, and it's got a warmth to it that you notice straight away.

On the ground floor, everything's tiled and there's plenty of natural light coming through. It's a clean, open space that works well as-is. Head up the external stone steps (original feature, solid as anything) and you've got four rooms on the upper level. Proper solid wood floors throughout and the bathrooms have been professionally tiled. Good-sized rooms, all of them.

The garden's where it really comes into its own. The soil here is fertile and productive. You've got Cox's apple trees, Morello cherry, Victoria plum, English apricot and peach trees all doing well. There's a garden pond, a herb garden, three productive grape vines and a big walnut tree too. If you're into growing your own, you won't be disappointed.

Privacy is spot on. High wall at the front, neighbouring buildings either side, and a natural steep gully with a quiet stream at the back. You're properly enclosed without feeling boxed in.

Opaka itself has everything you need within a five-minute walk. Restaurants, supermarkets, municipal offices, recreational facilities. You're not out in the middle of nowhere here. All the convenience without the noise.