Renovated red cottage in the country comes with ‘Orient Express’

There’s plenty to love about a beautifully renovated 1910 villa, but when it comes with a train carriage, you have to look twice.

This restored three-bedroom cottage on 1.6ha in Oxford, Canterbury has been double-glazed and fully insulated for modern living, but it retains all its traditional character.

And you can see from the outside, there’s a passion for the glory days of steam train travel. Not only is there a stunning old carriage that serves as a guest suite, but there’s also a water tower, such as you would have found at a station.

Listing agent Annie Smith of Ray White Oxford says there was an offer on the property, but it “fell over” and the owners withdrew it from the market to have a break. “They have continued to improve the house in the meantime, and it’s just stunning.”

“They are selling to be closer to the city. Their kids have spent a lifetime here and now they are going to university, they have decided to make the move as a family.”

Other recent renovations include a full exterior repaint, and a repainted roof. Character elements that remain include the original large Rayburn coal range with wetback (it heats water). The Rayburn is not the only heating, however - there’s also an open fireplace for those cold winter evenings.

There’s also a new hot water cylinder, and a recently installed septic tank. The house is connected to the Cooper’s Creek water supply.

And of course, the refurbished train carriage is an additional suite, bringing the total number of bedrooms up to four. It has its own bathroom, while there is a family bathroom and main ensuite in the cottage.

The carriage has been operated as an Airbnb, and could continue to be a source of income for a family. It also retains all its traditional features, including the overhead netting luggage racks, sarking, and wood trim.

Smith says all the furnishings in the carriage will remain with the house, apart from the rug, which has been passed down through the family.

On the outskirts of Oxford, the property has a section large enough to provide a leafy privacy, with mature trees. There is a three-bay shed with 2.5 car spaces, and additional room for storage or a man cave.

The size of the land also allows plenty of scope for landscaping, vegetable gardens and even livestock if desired.

The property, at 54 Gammans Rd, Oxford is listed with enquiries invited over $880,000. Smith says she is restarting open homes on Sunday and already has nine groups booked in to view the property.

Cotality puts the median value of properties in Oxford at $643,099.

Property market update: The Trade Me Property Pulse report notes that Canterbury saw a slight increase in price in July, rising 0.5 per cent from June to $701,800.

“If we take Canterbury and compare average asking prices to a year ago it’s faring well, with prices up 1.2 per cent on July 2024,” says Gavin Lloyd, Trade Me Property's customer director.

“Southland is another region to call out, while prices are flat month-on-month (-0.4%) it’s showing solid growth on last year with the average asking price up more than 5 per cent - the strongest year-on-year growth of all regions we monitor.”

Despite the overall easing of prices, the market still has a healthy number of properties available. "The current market dynamic is a golden opportunity for buyers," says Lloyd. "With prices moderating and a good selection of homes available, buyers have the time to conduct their due diligence and make a confident, well-informed purchase."