- The Brantwood Arms and Trott's Garden in Ashburton are for sale by Rob and Janene Riedstra.
- The Riedstras transformed the property into a successful hospitality and events venue after buying it in 2023.
- They are selling to move closer to family, having invested over $500,000 in upgrades.
It's arguably New Zealand's smallest commercial pub, and it's up for grabs - along with a 4.05ha national treasure.
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The Brantwood Arms, a traditional English-style boozer in miniature, is the creation of Rob and Janene Riedstra.
They launched the tiny 12.2sqm pub after buying the internationally acclaimed Trott's Garden in 2023 for $1.35 million.
The couple have poured their hearts and souls into the 4ha treasure in Allenton, Ashburton, but they have decided to sell up and head back to the North Island so they can be closer to their new grandchild.
The Brantwood Arms is modelled on an old English pub and is popular with guests. Photo / Supplied
The owners spent a lot of time and money restoring the exterior of the old Brantwood Chapel. Photo / Supplied
Trott's Garden was intended to be a semi-retirement project for the Riedstras, but their success transformed it into a bigger endeavour, encompassing hospitality and events.
The Racecourse Road property had been the home of keen gardeners Alan and Catherine Trott, who had transformed a paddock into a Garden of International Significance over 37 years before selling it to a trust in 2017.
The Riedstras, who are from Whitianga, told OneRoof they loved their South Island “paradise” and revealed they had spent over half a million dollars on it.
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They gave the 109-year-old chapel a makeover, revamped the marquee, and upgraded the commercial kitchen. A retro 1950s caravan they bought from Christchurch is now Bertie at Brantwood, their ice cream and lolly store, while the Brantwood Arms – believed to be the country’s smallest with a liquor licence – has been a welcome addition for thirsty punters (it also serves pub nosh).
Rob said the business had kept them busier than they expected. “We didn’t realise it would be as big a thing as it turned out to be,” he told OneRoof.
The gardens have hosted countless weddings, funerals, birthday parties, reunions and corporate events and welcomed visitors from all over the world, including South Africa, Czech Republic, Taiwan, US, Singapore, China, Ireland, Oman and the Philippines.
The renovated 1920s homestead provides live-in accommodation for the owners. Photo / Supplied
The beautiful English gardens attract visitors from all over the world. Photo / Supplied
“The list is huge, and I actually keep a record of where all the visitors come from,” Rob told OneRoof.
Janene has taken over the role of function coordinator and cook, while Rob is the duty manager and helps out in the garden.
Garden tours are run by none other than the property’s namesake, Alan Trott.
After buying Trott’s Garden, Rob and Janene invited Alan and his wife Catherine over for a cup of tea. They kept in touch and invited Alan – who knows the gardens inside and out – to help them out by showing visitors around.
Rob said Alan's presence was great as visitors got to learn about the gardens from the person who established them (they also pose for photos with him and often buy his books).
Rob believes the property would suit another couple looking for a home and business or an extended family looking to run something together.
“Not only do you live in paradise because you live onsite in the house.” The four-bedroom, one-bathroom original farmhouse is the primary residence and was built in 1910.
Ashburton was also a great place to live, he said, adding that a lot of the farming businesses had supported the gardens and held functions there.
“The people are fantastic and the neighbours are great. We are very reluctant, but we feel we have to do this because it’s the right thing for our family. So we are motivated by that but reluctant at the same time.”
New Zealand Sotheby's International Realty listing agent Joe Laing said the property was a one-off. "It's a super interesting property. It's cute, with the small pub and the chapel. You can have incredible weddings there."
- 371 Racecourse Road, in Allenton, Canterbury, is for sale by negotiation
