THE historic Kameruka Estate is to go under the hammer once again.
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The estate was established in the 1850s by Robert Tooth, and was handed down through the Tooth brewing family line.
His nephew Sir Robert Lucas-Tooth built the estate up and under his stewardship the Kameruka Church was built, and later the famous Kameruka clock Tower.
He brought additional workers from Britain, Europe and America and provided them with houses, recreational facilities, shops and schools as well as the church.
Originally over 6000ha, the estate was synonymous with champion Jersey cattle, and its cheeses and butter won international awards after being shipped across the world over 100 years ago.
The last time the now 1452ha estate changed hands was in 2007 when it was purchase by British shipping and farming magnate Giles Pritchard-Gordon from Frank Foster, great grandson of Sir Lucas-Tooth.
Mr Foster sold the property for $9million and said he hoped the new owners would continue the traditional estate life of the farm.
"One of the most important things as far as I was concerned with any sale ... was that the person that bought it, first of all had the interest of Kameruka as the district has known it and hopefully not make too many radical changes and do the best thing for the staff and tenants,” Mr Foster said.
The Pritchard-Gordon family did set about returning Kameruka Estate to its former glory and completely renovated the homestead and most of the significant buildings in Kameruka Village were retained.
In addition to the homestead there are five homes and 15 cottages on the estate.
The Lords View cricket oval – scene of a match between the touring English XI and a 22-strong local team in 1885 – has also been extended and upgraded.
The agriculture business on Kameruka Estate has also been significantly upgraded and the property now has 480 head of Angus cattle and 2750 Tubbo bred Merino wethers.
Mr Pritchard-Gordon died in 2011 and his wife Lou has now chosen to sell the estate.
Kameruka Estate, along with nearby 397ha Staplehurst farm also owned by the Pritchard-Gordon family, will be auctioned online on November 5, 2014.
The property is being sold by rural agent Chris Meares of Meares and Associates with an asking of between $11-12million.
