The Fern & Thistle

The Fern & Thistle occupies Lesmahagow, a heritage villa built by the industrialist Peter McSkimming in 1914 and named after his wife's home town in Scotland. It sits on roughly 6,000 square metres of private landscaped gardens at Benhar, a short drive from Balclutha in South Otago, at the doorstep of the Catlins. Restored and reopened in 2020, the house keeps its period character alongside modern comforts: central heating, fast internet and a commercial kitchen.

Wellness here is built around heat, water and stillness. A dry sauna sits in a barrel cabin in the grounds, and a hot tub set in the garden gives guests an unhurried heat and soak ritual to shape on their own terms.

Food is generous and homely. A continental breakfast is served daily, often with homemade breads, jams and marmalades, and complimentary drinks are provided throughout the stay. There is no restaurant, which suits the self-directed rhythm of the place.

Movement is left to the setting. The gardens, with their old roses and mature planting, invite slow walks, and the wider Clutha and Catlins region offers beaches, scenic reserves and open countryside within easy reach.

Recovery sits at the centre of a stay. Moving between the barrel sauna and the garden hot tub builds a simple rhythm of heat, cool air and rest, all without leaving the grounds.

The three suites are individually decorated, with garden views, private patios and considered comforts, including high thread count linen in the historical master suite. Rooms are characterful rather than uniform, in keeping with the age of the house.

This is a Verisa stay for travellers who want a calm, restorative base in deep South Otago, with a genuine sauna and hot tub, warm hosting and a strong sense of place, at a price that keeps real wellness within easy reach.