Welcome to The Jolly Poacher Retreat

Garden Accommodation Blenheim Marlborough

Your Hosts Helen Patchett & Dave Weir

The Retreat having a fantastic New Zealand style old farm villa, with our own farm reared animals Sheep, Cattle and Chickens. We are surrounded by Marlborough's world-famous wine vineyards. With over 50 Vineyards you are spoilt for choice, and everyone has their favourite, the closest only a 3-minute drive.

The Jolly Poacher Retreat is a fantastic New Zealand style old farm villa, the property is our work in progress project. We are both avid gardeners, using organic practices where possible, having changed this property immensely over the last few years, we will place the freshest of food on a plate from our garden, glasshouse and orchard, vegetables, walnuts, fruit, free range eggs, when in season and as time allows. Our plan is to one day be able to host garden tours in our lovely setting.

There are several park benches, hammocks, tables, and chairs around the property where you can relax with your music a drink or a book in your own space. The car parking area is directly opposite your cottage in a very secure area. We can also accommodate trucks/boats/horse floats, in our lighted back car park. (This will be a security gated property soon).

During the summer months the private Salt Water swimming pool and loungers are available for your enjoyment anytime. The fully covered Entertainment Area consists of BBQ, Pizza Oven, Teppanyaki Cooker, and Large Open Fire with leather seating. This joins onto the “Dave’s Man Cave” with old style bar, pool table, dart board, 55” LCD TV, hunting & sporting memorabilia, Classic Car, Fully Equipped Machinist Workshop.
A place to relax and embellish on old stories.

Located 7 minutes north of Blenheim CBD, Shopping and Restaurants. Short drive to Rarangi beachand White's Bay for swimming and hiking. Cycle Lane from Spring Creek to Blenheim, future connection to Picton.

Past Guests Comments

Surprisingly we were the first customers to this beautiful Retreat, had an absolutely wonderful stay with some equally wonderful people. Highly recommended and would much love to come back. All the best Dave & Helen to your new adventure. Pekama & George. NZDF EOD Sqn. Wellington NZ.

It was one of the best accommodations we had during our trip to New Zealand. This place is fabulous. Only minutes’ drive from Blenheim and most famous wineries. Helen & Dave made real oasis of green, peace and laid-back atmosphere. Two brand new cottages are themed Hunting and Fishing, impeccably clean, with great beds with high quality mattresses, a great bathroom with walk in shower, Views are green with relaxed sheep and cows and lots of green, we have been given a very warm welcome. Lot of information about location, fresh fruits from the garden. But real treat was hospitality from Helen & Dave. Martin Sura, HP Corp, Europe.

The Cottages, which Helen & Dave have built and decorated are delightful, the welcome they give to guests is priceless. We have laughed and talked for hours. The peace and quiet has rested our hearts and minds. We are sorry to leave and would love to come back again one day. Thank you, guys, for looking after us so well. Heather & Richard. Wiltshire. UK.

Thanks for the great hospitality, your estate is truly beautiful and y’all are such gracious hosts. Come visit us in Texas! Roy, Zane, Arron, Marc, Hannah & Laura. Houston, Texas. USA.

This place is a Hidden Gem! Thanks Helen & Dave for your hospitality. Great place to stay we will be back. Colin & Maggie Williams. Hong Kong.

FABULOUS!! Thank you, Helly & Dave, for making us feel so welcome. Staying at your property was a highlight of our holiday. The cottage is so comfortable & the decor is so well done. You are both incredible hosts. Thank you also for the most incredible evening last night. It was over-the-top amazing! Great conversation & we feel we have new friends, Cheers!! Amanda & Howard Nielsen, Red Deer, Alberta. Canada. Footnote. (Amanda & Howard returned 2 years later.) We are back!! Our second visit here in your amazing oasis. But it is really You Two that make it the most special place…. Your generous hospitality is second to none…the food, the cottage, the gardens, simply everything is perfect. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Much Love… Amanda & Howard Nielsen, Red Deer. Alberta. Canada.

It was a wonderful stay. My husband and I will never forget these 2 days. We had a great time talking about vegetables and fruit in the garden, cars and the outdoors. And the room was nice, clean and comfortable. And the breakfast was delicious like never before. I (we) will come back again next year, “Same room please”. Reiko & Shinich. Japan.

What a beautiful house with beautiful surroundings. Furnished with love to the smallest detail. The breakfast with homemade jams was delicious. We felt very comfortable. Thanks for sharing your little paradise. Bernard & Eveline. Bern. Switzerland.

Sometime in life you make a decision which just feels right from the get-go. Initially, you are not sure why, but the thing you are doing-buying- watching whatever it is starts on you when you arrive you realise why it felt so right. From the moment we can down the driveway we could tell that this place was special. So much care & love & pride has been put into this place-The Jolly Poacher Retreat- that it would be impossible not to feel comfortable. But as in anything in life, it’s the people that make the difference. And in Helly & Dave they are two of life’s good folk, Welcoming, friendly, interesting and just funny GC’s. Dave & Steve Auckland. NZ.

Dear Helen & Dave. We really enjoyed the time here and thank you so much for the great hospitality, and the wonderful breakfast when with special eggs and flowers, and the great tips for the area! When we come back to NZ, we will defiantly be coming back to you beautiful Hunting Cottage. Feel Hugged, Eva & Yurgen Emsdetten. Germany.

For me this captures the essence of this place. It is beautiful, quirky and full of warm feelings. We have had wonderful hospitality in all of the places we have stayed in New Zealand, but this surpasses them all. The comfort of the Cottage, the tranquillity of the surroundings and above all the warmth of Helen & Dave defy adequate description. “Loved it All”. Michael (English) & Geraldine (Irish) Manchester. UK.

What a surprise! Sometimes you select on the internet and it is a little scary- but The Jolly Poacher lived up to its name. Peace enveloped me, after a week of energetic grandchildren. I did get a shock when I woke up and registered that there were guns on the wall. But wonderful wee homes, with detail & comfort – but best of all was the kindness of you both, Helly & Dave. You put up with my long stories – in fact we never stopped and I loved it! I intend to return, now that I have discovered you. Marion L Hobbs, Christchurch. NZ.

What an amazing beautiful and peaceful location to start our holiday in the South Island, Thank you for your kind hospitality, and delicious breakfast goodies. We will be recommending you to our friends back home. Warm Regards. Carol & Scott Marsh, Salt Lake City. Utah. USA.