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Swallow
Hill Farm is one of the reasons why Metchosin is “The Place to Live”. Create
your own vision of a peaceful country lifestyle by the ocean in an area noted
for its farmland and recreation. Swallow Hill Farm is being offered for sale
for the first time since it was custom built by the owners in 1987.
Enjoy
the peaceful, poetic lifestyle of this beautiful pastoral setting just a 25
minute drive from Victoria. Situated on land that was once part of the Hans
& Lillian Helgesen farmstead, Swallow Hill’s farmhouse offers spectacular
views from all principal rooms overlooking the farm’s flowering apple orchards,
pond and pastures, to the surrounding countryside, Mt. Baker, forested
parklands, the snow capped Olympic Mountains, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, a
major shipping lane where cruise ships, freighters, and sail boats frequently
pass by.
Sitting
on an acre at the top of the property, the residence offers 5,137 square feet
of bright spacious rooms on 3 levels.
The
large tiled entry hall leads to the main floor living room where a picture
window dominating the south wall immediately directs one’s gaze to the amazing
view of the sea and mountains. The living room has 9 foot ceilings with picture
rails, wide plank pine flooring and a Vermont castings wood stove where you can
curl up by a crackling fire on winter evenings. The formal dining room is one
step up from the living room and also takes advantage of the view. There is a
French door from the dining room to a private covered porch and open patio area
with a unique hand built river rock wall and flower gardens. The spacious
kitchen with oak flooring and pine cabinetry is the center of this family home
with its large picture windows, informal eating area, central island and
wonderful workspace. Sliding glass doors open to the expansive south facing
deck where, on a summer’s evening, one can take in the spectacular view as the
moon rises over the ocean and the myriad stars sparkle in the deep blue sky.
The den has a fir floor with walnut inlay, a built in oak entertainment center
and a French door opening onto the patio garden. The bright, spacious master
bedroom has a large walk in closet, ensuite bath, and its own deck. A second
bedroom, 2 piece guest bath, laundry room/half-bath and mud room complete the
main floor. The main floor is heated by a natural gas furnace on a programmable
thermostat with a Heat Recovery Ventilation system. A 60 gallon gas fired tank
supplies hot water for the house. There is also a built in vacuum system, which
serves all three floors.
Upstairs
are 2 bedrooms with vaulted ceilings, one opening onto a south facing covered
balcony, plus a large 3 piece bathroom. These rooms are on electric baseboard
zoned heating.
The
full height walk out basement offers a large storage room accessible from the
driveway, a recreation room/office, a sauna and exercise room, plus a large
separate 1 bedroom granny suite with its own laundry room. The suite is heated
by the gas furnace and has electric baseboard heat as well.
Attached
by a covered breezeway is a large 2 bay garage with a quaint guest
accommodation above, complete with its’ own private deck sheltered by two
heritage apple trees, 4 piece bath and spectacular ocean and mountain views.
This suite is heated by electric baseboard and has its own 30 gal hot water
tank. It has been used as Bed & Breakfast accommodation.
Upgrades
include a new roof last year on the main residence and garage and refinished
wood floors.
The
property has been run primarily as a farm with income from the apple orchard,
egg sales and some hay sales. The farming possibilities are endless. Built from
the ground up this south facing property has been developed to make the most of
the 4.15 acres of ALR (Agricultural Land Reserve) land. It is fenced and cross
fenced. Enclosed by an eight-foot deer fence, one acre contains two apple
orchards with drip irrigation, a duck pond, a small blueberry patch, a hen
yard, and a pasture that would make an excellent vegetable garden. Just imagine
growing most of your own food. Two
more acres comprise of a large field, two smaller pastures, and a barn.
The 473 sq. ft. barn has two stalls, a 7 ton hayloft,
three open sheds (720 sq. ft..), and a concrete fenced loafing ring (1936 sq.
ft.).
An
ideal horse property, this farm is on the Galloping Goose trail system which
offers 60 kilometers of trails stretching from Downtown Victoria to Sooke and
which connects with many local horse trails as well as the Lochside trail
leading to Sidney on the Saanich Peninsula. The ‘Goose’, as locals call it, is
also used by cyclists and hikers and even cycle-commuters.
From
the 1,294 sq. ft. workshop enjoy watching ducks paddle on the pond as the
willow tree sways in the breeze. The 60 amp shop has gas fired radiant heat, a
10 ft. 4 in. ceiling and double doors with a 10’ X 10’ opening. Attached to the
shop is a small storage shed. There is a 30 amp RV plug on the exterior of the
shop.
Local
attractions include the Pedder Bay Marina, a full service marina offering
moorage, a fuel dock, a five car boat launch ramp, boat rentals and guided
fishing charters, gear rental, a tackle shop and lots more! Just
10 minutes away is the world famous Olympic View Golf Club rated #20 Best Golf
Experience in Canada and USA West. The
state-of-the-art facility has to be played to be believed; this was the first
golf course in British Columbia that Tiger Woods played, as an amateur in 1994.
There is a stylish clubhouse, the perfect place to relax after your game and
enjoy the beautiful surroundings while dining on West Coast Contemporary
cuisine prepared by an Executive Chef and culinary team. If you need clothing,
equipment, accessories or shoes there is a fully stocked golf shop. Other
local golf facilities include the Metchosin Golf and Country Club and Green
Acres Driving Range. There
are several parks including neighbouring Devonian Regional Park with its mixed
woodland trails, creek-side paths, and cobble beach for picnicking,
exploration, and sunbathing. From the beach relax and enjoy the views of
Victoria with it’s backdrop of snow covered Mt. Baker in one direction and the
incredible Olympic Mountains in the other. A
five minute drive brings you to Witty’s Lagoon Park offers wonderful bird
watching and Witty’s Beach is one of Victoria’s premier beaches. Fifteen
minutes away is East Sooke Regional Park with great beaches, hiking trails and
a large field ideal for kite flying.
Note: This property is not being sold based on financial statements or as a B & B business.
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