LOVE IN A COLD CLIMATE

Fireplaces, slowness and country scenes. Holidaying hits differently in winter

- MATTY HIRSCH

It might occur to you as soon as you pull past the front gates, into the long and gently sloping driveway. Then again, it could sink in once you’ve worked up a sweat in the barrel sauna and gotten lost in the views out over the front paddock. Or perhaps it’ll click later on, after drawing a hot bath and settling into the clawfoot tub. The point is, once you arrive at Leighton House, it won’t take long for you to realise you’ve landed on the paradigm for a winter retreat.