Peppers Manor House, Southern Highlands review: History and high spirits

Things that go bump in the night fail to disturb the peace for Angie Schiavone.

Had I read about the rumoured ghosts of Peppers Manor House before I stayed here, the figure lurching around my room in the dark would have been infinitely more alarming. As it turns out, it's not the spirit of a long-gone, eternally dutiful manor maid but my insomniac mother going for a 3am stroll.

We had driven from Sydney to Sutton Forest, in the Southern Highlands, to spend some "quality time" together and to take advantage of the terrific last-minute accommodation deals.

Despite the near 40-degree heat, the drive is an easy one and as we roll through the narrow gateway and along a driveway surrounded by tall trees and pretty flowers, we turn to each other, grinning like lottery winners.

At reception, we're greeted by a smiling young woman with a charming Irish accent, who guides us through the manor. There's the music room, the Broughton lounge, the games room, bar and nookery, all thoughtfully decorated and peaceful. But what really takes our breath away is the Great Hall. With a soaring nine-metre ceiling, enormous fireplace and towering paneled window - heavy curtains tethered on either side to frame the neat courtyard garden outside - the room evokes another world and time.

After explaining where our suite is, the sincere Irish lass encourages us to make ourselves at home. We've pre-booked some time with the in-house beautician, so we take our bags upstairs to a spacious suite - floral wallpapered bedroom and living room, spa bathroom, all air-conditioned to a glorious 20 degrees - and then head downstairs to be pampered.

Two hours later we have mollycoddled feet and a few hours to kill before dinner. Croquet? Badminton? Swimming? Tennis? These are all options at Peppers Manor House, as well as a round at the 18-hole Mount Broughton Golf Course adjacent to the house. Instead, we park ourselves in the Great Hall with cold drinks and light reading material. There's a cool breeze picking up, drifting through the hall and out the front door. What more could we want?

Dinner is at the house's Katers Restaurant, a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide one-hatter, named for the Kater family who owned the property for about 90 years, beginning with pastoralist Henry Edward Kater in 1878. An early dinner is a good idea, as there's still plenty of sunshine to light up the garden views. The menu, by Frenchman Francois Razavet, includes oddities (such as marshmallows and popcorn in one savoury dish) and old favourites. Our waitress explains that the irresistible "flamiche" - a buttery leek tart - is based on a recipe by the chef's grandmother.

Seared scallops come with pork crackling, apple and micro herb salad, presented on a tile we're told was once part of the manor roof.