Mesmerizing estate was a backdrop for ‘Lord of the Rings’ scenes — and it’s for sale

TJ Macias

An enchanting estate that looks like something straight out of an elegant, English period piece has landed on the real estate market in New Zealand for $5.2 million.

While the Wellington property wasn’t necessarily featured in a “Pride and Prejudice” reboot, it does have a serious connection to the big screen: A lake on the 12 acre property was the backdrop for scenes in Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, the listing on Forbes Global Properties notes.

The lake, which holds a mystical charm, was seen in two of the films, “The Fellowship of the Ring,” where Lady Galadriel (Cate Blanchett) is seen on a boat floating the waters, and in “The Two Towers,” where it’s seen when exploring Gollum’s hobbit days, Dirt reported.

The picturesque estate also has other features including:

  • Primary four-bedroom house

  • Stunning gardens

  • Cottage known as “The Gatehouse”

  • Three car garage

  • Outbuildings

The main house has many stylish amenities including a terrace, formal dining room, library, wine cellar, utility room, chef’s kitchen and more.

Then there are the garden areas, which include a chess garden, tennis court garden, woodland, oak lawn, glasshouses and even a “secret garden” with a Summerhouse.

The property’s history is a rich one, to boot.

“The Fernside estate in South Wairarapa came into being in 1860 and originally consisted of 2,300 acres,” the listing details. “It was developed into a substantial homestead by Charles and Ella Elgar between 1890 and 1930. As one of the ‘runholders’ the Elgars held a high position in society and entertained widely. The Elgars also traveled widely and brought many external influences into the design of the house and garden.”

The estate was later purchased by Robert Scotten, the U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand from 1948 to 1955.

Since then, the residence has had many owners.

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