VICTORIA

A four acre country property in a fabulous setting a short distance from Victoria on southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Swallow Hill 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 is being offered for sale for the first time since it was custom built by the owners in 1987. Upgrades include a new roof (Oct. 2007), refinished wood floors (Jan. 2007), and a complete kitchen renovation (June 2009).

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, the house offers spectacular ocean & mountain views from all principal rooms.

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 newly renovated (June 2009) spacious country kitchen with oak flooring and maple cabinetry is the center of this family home. With its large picture windows, informal eating area, and central island with built-in gas range it is a delightful place to work and relax. Sliding glass doors open to the expansive south facing deck where one can take in the spectacular view. 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 there is a large 3 piece bathroom and 2 bedrooms with vaulted ceilings, one opening onto a south facing covered balcony. These rooms are on electric baseboard zoned heating.

The ground floor offers a large separate 1 bedroom granny suite with its own office and laundry room. The suite is heated by the gas furnace as well as electric baseboards. In addition to the suite there is a large storage room accessible from the driveway, a movie room/office, a sauna and exercise room.

Attached by a covered breezeway is a large 2 bay garage with guest accommodation above, complete with its’ own private deck, 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.

Enjoy your own apples, blackberries, blueberries, and plums. 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 your own organic food. Are you a horse lover? Two more acres comprise of a large field, two smaller pastures, and a barn. The 473 sq. ft. barn has two stalls, a hayloft, three open sheds (720 sq. ft..), and a concrete fenced loafing ring (1936 sq. ft.).

An ideal horse property, Swallow Hill 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.

This is a wonderful lifestyle in the heart of nature only a short distance from a city known for it's beauty and culture.

Note: This property is not being sold based on financial statements or as a B & B business.

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