Oldenburg is big and so gorgeous

IT'S remarkable to come upon camellias in full bloom in January, but then, hearing the hum of a lawnmower as you approach this house in Cobh, Co Cork, speaks for itself.

Oldenburg is one of those big, old gorgeous houses that the town is famous for, and here on the Lower Road, there's a very special micro climate at well.

Dug into the north face of a hill, these 1850s houses are sheltered by its bulk on one side and bask in the sunlight to the front: the sea just across the road ensures no frost, except in the toughest of winters.

So, you have fronds of rosemary in full flower falling over the limestone boundary wall with rows of bergenia on top. The garden rises in terraces to frame the house and continues overhead where there's pedestrian access to the upper road.

Built by the Royal Admiralty and held by its present owners for the last 40 years, Oldenburg is a semi-detached, seven-bedroomed house.

And it's a bit of a revelation because it is so well kept. Walls are perfectly papered, the sash windows glide with ease and that damp spot you usually find behind the shutters is conspicuous by its absence.

In fact, the house feels dry as a bone: plasterwork is preserved, architraves and doors are handsome in a buttery cream and there's a warm feeling throughout the house - it's a home.

Oldenburg has been lovingly tended for 40 years and now that the chicks have flown the coop, it's on the market with Joanna Murphy for offers in the region of €680,000.

While that might appear a strong price to start, it's pitched at a reasonable level for the area, says Ms Murphy, if you subtract the work normally required for houses of this age. She sold another house on the same road for over €600,000 and this has now been completely gutted and is in the process of being re-built.

Oldenburg will probably get a makeover and a couple of ensuites to bring it up to 21st century scratch, but everything else is in place for buyers looking for a big, beautiful house.