Located on the south side of Wombat Hill and only a short walk to the main town centre, Innisfree is a delightful cottage ideal for up to four guests. A traditional miners cottage set on a quarter acre of lovely gardens, Innisfree will provide a blissful retreat for your next Daylesford getaway.
Innisfree is one of the newest properties to join the Dayget portfolio. This very cute, whimsical and historic miner’s cottage is located on a quiet residential street within easy walking distance of the main town centre.
Two beautifully styled bedrooms accommodate up to four guests so it is ideal for couple looking for a hideaway for a special occasion. Two couples getting out of town together will also enjoy the setup, whilst small girl’s groups and friends are comfortably accommodated.
We spoke with Kathryn, owner of Innisfree, to learn more about the cottage and how it came to be. Her passion and love for the area and Innisfree was infectious so we thought it ideal to let her tell it in her own words. Take it away Kathryn………..!
Kathryn’s Story
We’ve been coming to Daylesford for years, and a few winters ago we rented the house right next door to Innisfree for several months from a dear friend while she was overseas. It was a great time, I was transitioning from a career as a corporate lawyer to a whole different adventure, one that has taught me the importance of stepping off the treadmill of life and taking time to rest and reflect. During our long visit, we must have tried every restaurant within a half-hour radius, walking the calories off heading to brunch at Wombat Hill House in the Botanical Gardens. We got hooked on the eggs we buy at Glenlyon on the way through, accompanied by Istra bacon from Musk and toasty sourdough bread from Trentham, not to mention all the glorious produce from the farmers’ markets.
The region had a real pull and effect on us, so, the hunt began for a place of our own, and when Innisfree came on the market, I made an offer on the very first day it was open for inspection. It could not have been more perfect, It fits our whole family in, and we’ve had lots of friends to stay.
We named it for the WB Yeats poem ‘The Lake Isle of Innisfree’ which you’ll find framed in the hallway. Yeats spent many summers picnicking there (in unrequited love with the awesome political activist; Maude Gonne) and wrote about escaping forever to the tiny beautiful island in County Sligo in Ireland. Escaping and finding simplicity is key:
And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings’
We adore the still misty mornings on Wombat Hill and fell in love with the garden, with its fully loaded quince tree, veggie patches just waiting to be filled with herbs, and the thousands of jonquils that flower in spring. Then, of course, there are all the lovely shops in the Main Street, and nearby in Trentham and Kyneton to wander through. You’ll see some favourite purchases scattered around the Cottage.
We always knew we’d like to share our Cottage with others, and we’ve loaded it up with great books to read by the roaring combustion fire and there is a picnic basket and blanket all ready to take on adventures nearby. I worked closely with the incredibly lovely and incredibly talented Jessica Holmes from Dunbarlo Design, we went for ‘maximalist cosy’ style and although the cottage is not grand, we have made it beautiful and comfortable, and there’s nothing better than lazing on the sofa with a magazine and a glass of wine.
So far, we’ve loved autumn, winter, spring, and summer in the area, and can’t decide which is best. We hope you love our cottage just as much as we do, and that you have a restful stay.
P.S Don’t forget to pack your bathers for a visit to the Hepburn Bathhouse, and to make a lunch booking at Du Fermier way ahead of your visit!
