The Church @ Laggan is located on an elevated block on the edge of the historic village of Laggan, 8km outside Crookwell in the beautiful rolling hills of the southern highlands.
Built in 1876 from local stone and timber by the Presbyterian congregation surrounding Laggan the church was used until 1943. It was then bought by a local farmer and used as a shearing shed until the early 2000's. Purchased by the current owners in 2009 it has been lovingly converted to luxury residential accommodation.
The original Church building is solid local basalt + granite stone buttressed walls with pointed arched timber windows and original handmade double entry doors. It sits on over an acre of grassed land with 2 stands of large eucalyptus and a courtyard of white cedars on the northern side creating a shady haven for warmer days. The elevated position gives the church beautiful views over the village of Laggan and to the hills beyond.
Heating is provided with a wood burning fire in the main space as well as a gas heater to provide instant heat for late arrivals.
Kitchen facilities are extensive and all new including fridge, combination convection + microwave oven and dishwasher. A large lounge and separate tub chairs with footrests provide fantastic spaces for relaxing and chatting. The tub chairs invite you sit and slumber in front of the fire with some local wine and cheese. The dining table seats six for family meals in front of the fire.
The original church space contains a large lounge / dining / kitchen area and a separate TV lounge area which allows for separate activities for couples or family groups. There is a queen bed on the mezzanine in the church area, a separate queen bedroom in the corrugated iron addition, a single folding bed and single sofa bed in the TV area under the mezzanine and a single bed size lounge in the main space.
The large bathroom contains a free-standing bath, separate shower, toilet, vanity and a ceiling mounted heating panel. The bathroom has a large picture window with views across the rear yard and adjoining farmland, very private and picturesque, and an original pointed arched window which can be opened up for views into the church and out the opposite side window.
Designed to cater for 1 or 2 couples or a family the sleeping and living arrangements are flexible and functional.
Original features were retained when the property was renovated and as much of the new work was done using materials recycled from the original building. The floor of the church is beautiful original timber. The narrow floor boards in the 'shed' side were recycled from the shearing shed and are soaked in lanolin from the fleeces. The orange colour on the kitchen is derived from the coloured glass above the entry doors when the sun streams through it.
The property was featured in the Sun Herald property magazine in June 2012 with a story on the history and renovation.
The historic village of Laggan is located 2-3 hours from Sydney and 1 hour from Canberra on the tourist route from the Southern Highlands to Bathurst or Oberon to the north. Nearby are boutique wineries, Willowvale Mill, Lavender Farm, Willowtree Sculpture Garden, Country markets, heritage buildings and interesting tour drives.
The Pantry in Laggan is a restaurant and coffee shop set in landscaped gardens serving quality food for late breakfast, lunch and dinner, bookings are essential and times vary so please check with them. It is available for a single meal or for group functions. They also have a micro brewery on site making excellent local beers and cider, tastings on Saturday + Sunday (check the times with them) or on tap at the Laggan Pub.
The Laggan Hotel exists in a time warp. It is a genuine small town country pub which provides a comfy rustic venue for a quiet drink and chat with friends and locals. Good pub food is available for dinner Thursday to Sunday and lunches on weekends, booking is a good idea as they have functions as well.
Willowtree Sculpture Garden in Laggan is a beautiful landscaped garden including significant outdoor sculptures, they run sculpture masterclasses and an annual exhibition over the first weekend in November commencing 2016.
Crookwell is only a five minute drive and provides a supermarket, cafes, pubs, restaurants, banks, shops and a hospital. There are many interesting historic buildings and local businesses in Crookwell which service the tourist and local farmers including Big River Produce and The Sock Factory.
The Upper Lachlan Tourist Association office provides advice on the local area with maps, produce, gifts, tours and excellent local tips.
The town of Tarralga is another local town approximately 20 minutes drive away with many heritage properties and interesting shops including a saddlery, pubs, take-away and produce store. On the road to Tarralga is the Lavender Farm where lavender is grown, harvested and made into a large number of products for sale. Drop in for a look and a tour around the farm.
Wineries in the locality include Lochanni and Kingsdale wineries, while the vineyard to the rear of the church is Nick Bullieds' Hatherleigh pinot vines, an excellent local wine which is available in the IGA in Crookwell.
FACILITIES
Lounge Area with wood fire, large lounge, 2 x large tub chairs.
Dining table for 6.
Study desk and lamp.
TV area with flat screen smart TV, Satellite internet, BlueRay player, ipod connection, 3 seater lounge / sofa bed + single seater lounge bed.
2 Queen bed bedrooms - 1 is on the mezzanine in the church, the other is a separate room.
Kitchen with convection / microwave oven, fridge, dishwasher.
Cutlery, crockery, pots + pans, coffee plungers, sandwich hot plate, toaster, kettle. Bathroom with free-standing bath, separate shower, WC, heating panel on ceiling.
Freshly laundered towels + linen provided.
Laundry with washer + dryer, ironing board + iron.
Boot room / airlock at side entry for wet shoes and jackets.
Over an acre of garden / lawn area around the church.
Tea, coffee, milk (individual serves) + biscuits provided.
Espresso coffee machine provided (not pods), occupants to provide ground coffee + milk.
Books, jigsaws, kite and games provided.
4G phone + internet service is available at the property.
TARRIF
WEEKEND RATES
Fri - Sat (single night stays accepted)
Base rate is $320 / night for 2 adults, $370 / night for 3 adults, $420 / night for 4 adults, $25 / head for extra people. Children $25 / hd / night.
Please contact owners to check rates as reduced rates may apply for short notice or drive in bookings.
WEEK NIGHT RATES
Sun through Thursday
$220 / night for 2 adults, $260 / night for 3 adults, $320 / night for 4 adults, $20 / head for extra adults / night. children $20 / hd / night.
Please contact owners to check rates as reduced rates may apply for short notice or drive in bookings.
Discounts for stays longer than 2 nights may apply.
Infants under 2 are free. Cot is not provided.
Tea, instant coffee, biscuits provided.
Deposit to secure booking is 50% of booking cost, balance of tariff required a minimum of 14 days prior to occupation.
Refundable Security Deposit of $100/ night booked, or $500 for weekly bookings is required.
Cancellations - please refer to policy in Stayz conditions.