Rare chance to buy a picture perfect cottage and barn near Sydney

If you’ve been thinking of a tree change, this picture perfect country cottage and barn just hit the market, just 50km north of Sydney.

Beautifully transformed by property developer and urbanist Linda Gregoriou, who used to own homewares store Pure and General in Potts Point and Erskineville, it has everything: great location, flexible accommodation, walking distance to shops, proximity to Sydney and the potential for a small business.

The property, in the Georgian town of Windsor on the Hawkesbury River, consists of a very pretty two-bed 1860s cottage with stunning interiors and a two-storey split slab barn. “The barn was originally constructed in 1806 and was reconstructed on the property about 40 years ago,” Linda explains. “There are about 110 split slab barns in the Hawkesbury region, all unique to the area.”

The cottage has beautiful original detail throughout, highlighted by a north-facing loft-style living space and vaulted timber ceilings. From the rustic country kitchen to the working brick fireplace, the attention to detail shines alongside contemporary updates.

The separate barn offers so many possibilities! Ideal as an artist’s studio, workshop or for lunches and entertaining, it could also be transformed into a second home, short-term accommodation, a wedding venue and more (subject to approvals).

Just shy of an hour north-west of Sydney, a five-minute walk to Windsor shops, and 40 minutes by train to Parramatta CBD, this idyllic home is surrounded by turf farms and market gardens.

Linda has owned it for eight years and the upstairs living room (above) is a particular favourite of hers. “It has a vaulted ceiling and double hung, six-pane sash windows and unusual dormers. It faces due north overlooking the cottage garden and barn; all these elements I love.”

Linda loves to sit in front of the fire and read or work in this room. “It also has plenty of natural north light. It’s a magical room!”