34 Annie and her husband Richard Bell run Belford Park which has been owned and operated as a beef grazing property by their family since 1979. On the property lies Cherson Cottage which dates back to 1920, with Coquun the older of the two built in 1912. Both were once upon a time used as stockman and workman cottages until Annie decided it was time for a change. The last workman left Cherson Cottage in 2011, Annie and Richard saw an opportunity to create something special where guests could slow down, reconnect, and experience the beauty of farm life. “It’s been incredibly rewarding, I love being able to give people a place that feels peaceful, open and quiet where all you hear are birds and cows. “I wanted to share where we live and go that little bit further and provide a luxury escape. We provide a breakfast hamper, put fresh flowers in the bedrooms, and in winter we make sure the fire is going. Those little touches don’t take long and make a world of difference. “I bake a fresh slice and leave them in the cottage, you walk in and instantly feel at home,” Annie said. Cherson is a spacious four-bedroom cottage that can accommodate up to eight guests with everything you need for a country escape from the river view to both an indoor and outdoor fireplace, luxury linen bedding and robes, kitchen and workspace. Cherson is booked per room, so if you have less than eight guests the rate is adjusted. Coquun Cottage is the smaller, more luxurious and intimate of the two. With two bedrooms, the main opening out onto the garden through beautiful French doors, it has underfloor heating, soft 100% cotton towels and robes, a fully equipped kitchen and beautiful indoor and outdoor fireplaces. The name “Coquun”, meaning ‘fresh water’ comes from one of the original Aboriginal names for the Hunter River, reflecting the property’s deep connection to the local landscape and history, looking out onto the beautiful river and working farm. “Everyone who comes here loves it, the chance to disconnect from busy lives and reconnect with family and nature. I’ve had families message me and ask if the Wi-Fi can be switch off so they can spend quality time with their kids, I have one family who has been coming here every year since we opened nearly ten years ago, it’s their dream. “I remember one guest loved hearing the gauze door bang shut because it reminded her of visits to her grandparents’ farm as a child. She loved the feeling that memory brought her. “Different people look for different things when they come and stay and we always try to go that extra step,” Annie said. “We want to give our guests that feeling of comfort, safety and welcome and of course a touch of luxury – it’s country hospitality. “Last year we were named as one of the Top 10 properties for a Nature Stay by Airbnb in Australia, high praise for us and quite humbling but we continue to work even harder to provide something special for all of our guests.” Belford Park isn’t just a working farm in the Upper Hunter, it’s a beautiful country getaway nestled in the valley base of the Barrington Tops. The Cherson and Coquun Cottages were once working stockman cottages but now you can stay for a perfect country escape, offering guests a blend of rustic charm and modern luxury. A TOUCH OF Luxuary
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