For many years, we spent wonderful houseparty weekends in Millbrook, New York, 1 1/2 hours up the Hudson from New York City. I fell in love with the countryside, but it wasn’t until I returned from Oxfordshire, England that it dawned on me why I felt such an endearing affinity for Millbrook…it looks so very much like the West Midlands countryside of the UK.

So in tribute to these memories, I’m posting this yummy property in Poughquag, a near neighbor to Millbrook. Sugar Maple Farm is situated on 466 private acres of mostly open pasture land fenced for horses, with an 18,000 sq.ft. Georgian style manor house (architect Boris Baranovich) that was built in the late 1980’s. Behold this view from the rise overlooking a large spring-fed lake and stroll garden!

Even the luscious interiors remind me of an English country house. The main entrance hall to the 3-story house, with its high domed ceiling, is complemented by an instant view of the lake, seen through the house as the front door opens.

Large rooms, high ceilings and rich millwork add to the grandeur of Maple Sugar Farm (here, the library with its chestnut paneling).

And the intimate, small oval dining alcove at the end of the formal dining room certainly captured my attention.

Wood burning fireplaces in the living room, dining room, paneled library and sitting room add so much to the atmosphere of this “gentleman’s horse farm.”

There are many opportunities for inspiration in this home, from the master suites with their separate sitting room (with fireplace!), dual bathrooms and dressing galleries.

to the drop dead wonderful adjunct rooms on the full service lower level, to include kitchen, two bathrooms and changing rooms plus sauna, gym, wet bar, wine cellar, billiard room…

and a half basketball court with regulation lighting.

But what really started me dreaming (on this same level) was the pink and colonnaded indoor swimming pool, with its mosaic tiles recalling the Esther Williams era.

From this level one can easily access the outside terrace for entertaining, to play tennis or to try one’s luck on the par-3 putting green. A Victorian era gatehouse at the main entrance has 4 staff apartments on the upper level and a spacious farm office on the ground floor. Other buildings include a 3 bedroom staff building, 2 manager’s houses and several barns all connected by a paved interior roadway winding through the property.

I know the first place I would go if I were to buy this property — for a picnic under the weeping willow tree by the bridge!

In closing, let me not forget the essential details…Sugar Maple Farm’s 18,000 square feet include 8 Bedrooms and 9 Full/3 Partial Bathrooms. 466.58 total acreage.
Price $15 million…please contact the listing agent, Heather Croner, for further details.