This beautiful, charming and historic home has been nestled in Guildford village since the 1880s when it was once The Farmers Arms Hotel, built and operated by the Swiss-Italian émigré (and district icon) Prospero Passalaqua. In 1919, the next generation of the Passalaqua family converted the hotel into a family home, adding the matchless Edwardian brick frontispiece that so captivates to this day. Arrive at the home via the south end of Ballarat Street (a left turn at Big Tree, the National Trust's current "Tree of the Year") and discover the immense appeal of Villa Passalaqua, tucked away at the end of a cul-de-sac.
The inviting entryway leads to a broad Castlemaine slate terrace set beneath a classic grapevine-laden pergola, a truly divine outdoor entertaining area that feels like Tuscany in country Victoria! A panelled French door now leads you into the exquisite heart of this home, the wonderful open plan kitchen, living and dining room. In the character-filled kitchen, timber-clad cove ceiling and walls in lovely soft white are a testament to the original kitchen of The Farmers Arms of 1882, but now with 21st-century accompaniments - freestanding gas cooktop and oven, stainless steel rangehood, timber benchtops, dishwasher, rich timber floors, picture windows to the greenery beyond, all creating an enticing space and feeling of sanctuary. And you can serve your garden guests through the bi-fold servery window that opens out to the alfresco patio.
In the beguiling ambience of the adjoining dining and living spaces, year-round comfort is assured, with a ceiling fan, stunning Nectre N60 solid wood heater and split system air conditioner. From all of this, delightful French doors open out to a privately screened, west-facing deck. From its central hallway, Villa Passalaqua enjoys two exquisite period bedrooms, both wonderfully spacious, high-ceilinged, richly timber floored, both with a gentle, evocatively neutral décor, and both enjoying fabulous light flooding in from multiple windows. Is the second of them a family bedroom, an exquisite personal retreat, or maybe a relaxed & quiet guest room? Perhaps all three! Certainly, its period, timber-framed open fireplace adds a magical enchantment. More glowing timber benches and cabinetry in the central bathroom, along with a toilet, shower/bath, and Euro-style lab basin, make for a super family bathroom. Sensationally, as well, Villa Passalaqua is also on town water! And with gas ducted heating too.
A thrilling bonus at this unique and delightfully quirky home is the shepherd's hut out in the garden! Beyond the Tuscan stone pathways of the north-facing garden, amongst magnificent Manchurian pear trees, sits this amazing cedar-clad hut, an utter gem. Here's the perfect accommodation for visitors, guests, family or friends. The Dutch-style door leads to the main room, with its two king-single bunk beds built in, along with wardrobe, reverse cycle air conditioner, curved ceiling and, amazingly in its 9+ square metre space, an ensuite shower, basin and toilet! Not only is this extraordinary hut unique, but it's also fully insulated (floor, walls and ceiling) in merino wool.
There are lots of places to sit in the garden and take in the landscape, amongst majestic pencil pines, native bottlebrush, a lovely old white peach fruit tree, and, running the length of the property on Fletcher Street, copious banksias and acacias flank a double-walled high timber fence providing both complete privacy and sound buffer to the street. There's a timber double garage too (5.8x5.8), along with an internal shed, and a couple of water tanks linked to the built-in garden watering system. Saturated with heritage and period charm, Villa Passalaqua, in a beautiful setting and garden, is your ideal country escape, an embodiment of gold rush history, Italian heritage and 21st-century upcountry comfort.
You're in an authentic Victorian village community too - marvel at Big Tree, the Guildford General Store, the much-loved Guildford Family Hotel dating to 1853, and the quaint Post Office. There's a terrific playground, public tennis courts, the green expanse of the Guildford oval right in the heart of the village, and the gorgeous local Primary School a few minutes walk away. But you're only 10 minutes from all the attractions and shopping of Castlemaine in one direction and not much longer to Daylesford in the other.
Fantastic country weekend retreat? Artist's bolt-hole? Rustic sanctuary? Or home base within the beautiful landscape of Guildford? Don't delay your inspection of Villa Passalaqua. You won't have seen or sensed anything like it.
**Please note vehicle access and entry via the southern end of Ballarat Street.
View more
View more
