Over the (Adelaide) hills and not so far away is the lovely little town of Piccadilly. Nestled between Crafers and Uraidla and sitting just below Mount Lofty’s summit, it is an idyllic location to spend a mini break, particularly this time of year when the air is crisp, the smell of wood burners permeate the long, cold winter nights and sitting in a country pub enjoying a hearty stew or a Guinness pie beside an open fireplace is just the ticket to warm you from the inside out.
After weeks of research (as is my un-spontaneous way of booking accommodation), I found what turned out to be the most perfect little hideaway for a much needed break during the school holidays.
I had a few pre requisites. The property I chose had to have:
a working fireplace
a vista of either hills or water
a minimal but cosy interior
close proximity to good eateries for lunch. Dinner wasn’t a consideration, for I would be settled into a cosy armchair by a crackling fireplace once the sun set.
Perched atop a hill, adjacent to rolling vineyards with gorgeous views over the Piccadilly Valley is The Other House. This delightful bluestone cottage was built around 1900 and has recently been refurbished and renovated to give a contemporary feel within its historic facade.
The cottage has been beautifully styled and mixes minimalism with coziness. Just the right amount of furnishing to make it feel warm and inviting, without being cluttered with dust-collecting trinkets and tchotchkes from a bygone era.
There are three bedrooms (one king that can serve as two singles, one queen and one single) - all with incredibly comfy beds, lovely white linen and a toasty electric blanket. What a treat to have my bed pre-warmed and my flannelette jarmies baked in readiness for a luxurious nights slumber. Delightful!
There are two living areas but the front lounge with the wood burning slow combustion heater, comfy couches and beautiful vista was where I parked myself during the chilly evenings of our stay.
Vicki, who manages both The Other House and Esto House (just across the valley at Crafers), had the fire stoked and crackling away for us on arrival. She ensured we had all the provisions we needed and was most accommodating and helpful with any questions we had during our stay.
I’m not in the least bit interested in spending hours adorned in an apron, whipping up culinary delights, preferring to just devour food instead - but I do appreciate a well equipped, well stocked kitchen. This little gem has everything you could need whilst on a mini break and probably more. All of the appliances looked virtually brand new and the kitchen itself was sparkling clean. A big country-style dining table beckons you to sit down and enjoy a continental brekkie using the locally sourced provisions provided.
The sparkling, modern bathroom has a rain shower which expelled steaming hot water at excellent pressure - giving a pseudo massage as well as a freshen up, and a bath for a relaxing soak after a long day exploring the great outdoors. The white, fluffy towels are positively enormous and plentiful in supply. How refreshing it was to stay somewhere where my post shower dry-off procedure didn’t resemble a buffalo wrapped in a tea-towel.
To take advantage of the stunning vistas, the front verandah is the perfect vantage point for sipping one of the local Esto Wines and enjoying the serenity of the Piccadilly Valley. At the rear of the cottage, there’s a large covered entertaining area with ample seating and a Weber Q to serve up an outdoor feast. We were able to help ourselves to the citrus trees, laden with fruit - perfect for a zesty accompaniment to a meal.
If you’re visiting with children, they’ll love the charming wooden cubby. During our stay it was converted into a grocery store / cafe with a couple of freshly picked lemons serving as fine local produce to purchase with invisible dollar bucks. We also spent considerable time in the large, shady garden - exploring, playing, and relaxing in the peace and tranquility of the countryside.
The Other House is perfectly located and within an easy drive of Stirling, Aldgate, Crafters, Uraidla, Bridgewater and many other lovely Hills towns. It is virtually on the doorstop of the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens and a hop, skip and a jump from Cleland Wildlife Park. There are an abundance of eateries, wineries, pubs, cycling and walking trails all within cooee of this delightful property.
With a renewed sense of state pride, I can’t wait to discover more of the The Hills and highly recommend The Other House for a midweek or weekend getaway.
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