Staying at Fareham House is like time travelling back to the Southern States of America in the 1800s -- that's my only frame of reference for grand old houses and grounds like these, anyway. Maureen and family have done a wonderful job preserving the character of the place while providing all necessary modern amenities. I highly recommend going for a (respectful) walk around the grounds and perusing the library, which has a particularly good Maoritanga section. The bush and river are minutes away, and so is Featherston, which is small but has great food, drink, and bookshops. A great experience.